North Charleston Criminal History Access
North Charleston is South Carolina's third-largest city and generates a significant volume of criminal history records each year. The North Charleston Police Department, the Charleston County court system, and statewide SLED databases all hold records relevant to cases originating in the city. This page walks you through the steps for finding North Charleston criminal history records whether you prefer to search online, submit a FOIA request, or visit in person.
North Charleston Quick Facts
North Charleston Police Department Records
The North Charleston Police Department is headquartered at 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, SC 29406. Chief Ron Camacho has led the department since his appointment in 2024. The non-emergency number is (843) 740-2500. NCPD maintains incident reports, accident reports, and arrest records for all cases handled within the city's jurisdiction.
Accident reports are available online through the NCPD website at northcharleston.org. To retrieve one online, click "Access Accident Reports Online" and search by state, jurisdiction, name, date, location, or report number. There is a $5.00 fee for accident reports, payable by business check, cash, or money order. If you prefer to request by mail, send a written request along with a $5.00 payment to: North Charleston Police Department, Attn: Records Dept., 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, SC 29418.
Municipal Court for North Charleston is located at City Hall, 2500 City Hall Lane, and handles traffic infractions, city ordinance violations, and misdemeanor criminal matters arising within the city. Court staff can be reached through the main police non-emergency line at (843) 740-2500.
Note: North Charleston Police records beyond the 14-day window available at the counter require a FOIA request through the city's online portal.
Searching North Charleston Criminal History Online
For a broad search of North Charleston criminal history, SLED CATCH is the best starting point. The $25 name-based search queries SLED's statewide criminal repository and returns arrests, charges, and convictions from across South Carolina, not just those originating in North Charleston. This is especially useful when you want to check whether a person has a criminal record outside Charleston County as well.
Felony cases tied to North Charleston residents are filed in Charleston County Circuit Court. The Charleston County Public Index is free and lists case details including charge, date, and disposition. You can search by name or case number. The Public Index covers both open and closed cases and is typically updated daily by the clerk's office.
SLED's Sex Offender Registry at scor.sled.sc.gov is also free and allows ZIP-code or city-specific searches to find registered offenders living or working in North Charleston. Entries include the offense type, registration tier, and current address on file.
North Charleston FOIA Requests for Criminal Records
The City of North Charleston processes FOIA requests through its online portal at northcharleston.justfoia.com. This is the preferred submission method. The city's FOIA Coordinator is Courtnay Fields, Municipal Clerk, reachable at 843-740-2509 or cfields@northcharleston.org.
If you cannot use the online portal, you may also submit a written FOIA request by fax to 843-745-1050, by mail to City of North Charleston, Attn: Clerk of Council, PO Box 190016, North Charleston, SC 29419, or by hand-delivering it to the Clerk of Council's Office on the third floor of City Hall at 2500 City Hall Lane. South Carolina's FOIA statute at SC Code Title 30, Chapter 4 sets the framework for response times and fee limits that North Charleston must follow.
When submitting a FOIA request for criminal or police records, include as many details as possible: the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of the incident, and any report or case numbers you already have. Specific requests result in faster responses and lower fees because staff spend less time identifying which records fall within scope.
Charleston County Court Records for North Charleston
North Charleston is in Charleston County, so felony cases filed against North Charleston residents go through the Charleston County Circuit Court. The Charleston County Clerk of Court is located at 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, Charleston, SC 29401. The phone number is (843) 958-5000 and the fax is (843) 958-5020. For email inquiries: clerkofcourt@charlestoncounty.org.
The Charleston County Public Index gives free online access to circuit court cases. Searches by defendant name return case numbers, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and dispositions. This tool is a practical first step before requesting certified copies. If you need certified documents, the clerk's office charges fees based on document type and page count.
The SC Judicial Branch courthouse directory can help if you are trying to locate a specific court. For cases that may have been handled at the magistrate level, contact the clerk's office to confirm which court holds the record.
Note: Misdemeanor cases handled solely by North Charleston Municipal Court are not listed in the county Public Index. Contact the Municipal Court at (843) 740-2500 for those records.
Criminal Records Laws Affecting North Charleston
SC Code Section 23-3-115 gives SLED the authority to collect and disseminate criminal history information. Under this statute, SLED receives arrest and conviction data from law enforcement agencies statewide, including NCPD. The statute also defines who can obtain a full background check and limits how the information can be used once released.
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act covers all North Charleston city records, including police department files. The law gives any person the right to request records and sets mandatory response timelines. It also limits fees to the actual cost of searching and producing the records. Agencies may withhold information that would reveal ongoing investigation details or compromise personal privacy when the harm outweighs the public benefit.
SC Code Section 17-1-40 on expungement applies equally to North Charleston residents. Those with qualifying offenses can petition to have their records destroyed. The $250 fee is paid to the Clerk of Court. Once expunged, the record is removed from SLED's repository and each agency holding a copy must destroy its files.
Expungement Options in North Charleston
North Charleston residents seeking to clear a qualifying record start the expungement process through the Ninth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office. The Ninth Circuit covers Charleston County. Eligible charges include dismissals, not-guilty verdicts, first-offense misdemeanors in some categories, and certain drug offenses completed through a diversion program.
After the solicitor reviews and approves the petition, it goes to a circuit court judge. The signed order then travels to SLED, NCPD, and any other agency holding the record. All copies must be destroyed. This process generally takes several months, and the timeline can vary depending on how many agencies need to respond to the order.
Once expunged, the record will not appear on SLED CATCH results or most standard background searches. Federal checks, professional licensing reviews, and law enforcement agency hiring processes may still have access under certain conditions. Consult a licensed South Carolina attorney to determine whether your specific charge qualifies and what practical effect expungement would have.
North Charleston County Criminal History
North Charleston falls within Charleston County. Felony cases and most serious criminal matters are filed in Charleston County Circuit Court.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other South Carolina cities near North Charleston with criminal history resources are listed below.