Florence County Criminal Records and History
Florence County criminal history records come from the Clerk of Court, the Florence Police Department, the county Sheriff, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Florence County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit. The county seat is Florence. Searching criminal history in Florence County may involve the courthouse on Irby Street, the online Public Index, or the SLED CATCH system. This guide covers each option so you can find the records you need.
Florence County Quick Facts
Florence County Clerk of Court
The Florence County Clerk of Court maintains criminal case records for General Sessions Court. The office is located at 181 N. Irby Street, MSC-E, Florence, SC 29501. The phone number is (843) 665-3031. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and provide copies of court documents.
The Florence County Public Index is available online at publicindex.sccourts.org/florence. This tool lets you search Florence County criminal cases by name or case number. You can see charge descriptions, filing dates, and case status without having to visit the courthouse. Certified copies still require a request to the Clerk of Court in Florence County.
| Office | Florence County Clerk of Court 181 N. Irby Street MSC-E Florence, SC 29501 Phone: (843) 665-3031 |
|---|---|
| Website | florencecounty.org/clerk-of-court |
| Public Index | Florence County Public Index |
Florence Police Department Records
The Florence Police Department serves the City of Florence within Florence County. The department is located at 324 W. Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501. Their non-emergency line is (843) 665-3191. The Records Division handles requests for incident reports and accident reports. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail.
FOIA requests for Florence Police records go to the City of Florence. Submit your request to 324 W. Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501, or call (843) 665-3100. Under South Carolina FOIA law, the city must respond within 10 business days. Visit cityofflorence.com/police for more on the department and its services.
Searching Florence County Criminal History Online
The Florence County Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org/florence is the main online tool for criminal case searches. Enter a name and the system returns any matching Florence County cases. Each result shows the case number, charge, and current status. This is a free search. It covers General Sessions and other courts in Florence County.
The SC Judicial Branch case records search at sccourts.org is another option. This broader tool searches across all South Carolina counties. If you are not sure whether a case was filed in Florence County or a neighboring county, this is a good place to start.
SLED Criminal Background Search for Florence County
SLED collects criminal history data from all South Carolina counties, including Florence. The state criminal history repository includes arrests and dispositions reported by Florence County courts and law enforcement. A public name-based search costs $25 through the CATCH system.
Access the CATCH system at catch.sled.sc.gov. Pay the fee and enter the name you want to search. The result will show criminal history attributed to that name across South Carolina. Name-based results may include multiple individuals with the same name, so review results carefully. Under S.C. Code Ann. 23-3-115 and 23-3-120, the state governs who may access and use criminal history records.
Florence County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Florence County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Florence County. Arrest records from the Sheriff are public under South Carolina FOIA. To request records, submit a written request to the Sheriff's Office. Include the name of the person and the approximate date of the arrest.
Under S.C. Code Ann. 30-4-10, agencies must respond within 10 business days. Fees for copies are normal. The Florence County Sheriff may charge per page for printed records. Call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule before submitting your request.
Inmate Lookup and Probation in Florence County
State prison inmates from Florence County are held in SCDC facilities. Search for current and former inmates at no cost at public.doc.state.sc.us. The database includes people currently incarcerated and those who have been released.
The Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services manages community supervision for Florence County offenders. Their website at dppps.sc.gov provides contact information for local offices. If you need to verify someone's supervision status, contact DPPPS directly. They do not publish individual supervision records online.
Sex Offender Registry in Florence County
The South Carolina Sex Offender Registry covers registrants in all 46 counties, including Florence. You can search by county, name, zip code, or address at scor.sled.sc.gov. The registry is free to use. Results show the registrant's photo, current address, and offense information.
Expungement in Florence County
South Carolina allows expungement of some criminal records under S.C. Code Ann. 17-1-40. Qualifying cases include dismissed charges, arrests with no prosecution, and certain first-offense convictions. Once expunged, a Florence County criminal record is sealed and does not appear in standard public searches.
To begin the process, contact the Solicitor's Office for the 12th Judicial Circuit. An attorney who handles Florence County criminal cases can help you determine eligibility and guide you through the paperwork. Not all cases qualify, and the rules for eligibility depend on the type of charge and outcome.
Nearby Counties
Florence County sits in the northeastern part of South Carolina. It borders several other counties where criminal records may also exist.