Criminal records in Pickens County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. PickensCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through official state court portals, law enforcement agencies — including SLED — and the Pickens County Clerk of Court's office, located in the courthouse on E Main Street.
How to Search Criminal Records in Pickens
There are several ways to begin a search. For each, you will need at least the person's full name, and ideally, the date of birth or case number.
Online Search
- PickensCourt.us — Enter the first and last name to view publicly available information about county criminal cases.
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — The portal covers all counties in the state. Select Pickens County, enter the name or case number. Note: The data on the portal is not an official court record.
- SLED CATCH — The Citizens Access to Criminal Histories system allows you to view and print a criminal history by name. The search is based on data from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
- SCDC Inmate Search — Shows photos and public information about individuals currently in state correctional facilities.
- SCDPPPS Offender Search — A database of the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services.
- Pickens County Sex Offender Registry — Information about registered individuals, updated by the county sheriff and SLED.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Court's office on the first floor of the Pickens County courthouse. The clerk processes record requests directly. You can also contact the Magistrate Court, which handles criminal, traffic, and civil cases.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Clerk of Court's office at the address above. Include the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and the type of record you need. To obtain an official state-level criminal history, submit a request to SLED.
What you need to start a search:
- Full name and surname
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
Search Pickens Criminal Cases by Case Number
Case numbers in South Carolina have a standard format that is quite simple to decipher. The typical structure looks like this:
- Year — Two or four digits of the year the case was filed.
- Case type code — A letter designation indicating the category: "GS" for General Sessions cases (felony), "CR" or "MG" for Magistrate Court cases.
- Sequential number — A unique number assigned in chronological order.
For example, the number 2024-GS-39-00123 indicates a General Sessions case from 2024 in the county with FIPS code 39 (Pickens). If you have this number, enter it into the state's Judicial Department public index — the result will appear immediately, without the need to guess the spelling of the name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Pickens
Charges
| Item | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the South Carolina Code of Laws (e.g., § 16-13-30 — theft) |
| Felony | General Sessions cases; maximum punishment — more than one year of imprisonment |
| Misdemeanor | Handled by Magistrate or Municipal Court; punishment — up to one year or a fine |
| Amended Charge | The prosecutor may change the qualification during proceedings — for example, reduce a felony to a misdemeanor |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open, no decision yet.
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing, a hearing is scheduled.
- Disposed — The court has made a final decision.
- Closed — All procedural actions are completed, no appeal filed.
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — The first court appearance where the defendant is informed of the charges.
- Preliminary hearing — The judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.
- Pre-trial — Parties discuss procedural issues, possible agreements.
- Sentencing — The court announces the punishment after a guilty plea or verdict.
- Review hearing — Checking compliance with the conditions of punishment (probation, restitution).
Court Results
| Result | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The court or jury found the person guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquittal — the charges were not proven |
| Dismissed | The case was closed by the prosecutor or judge without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute; the case may be reopened later |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after a substantive review |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Pickens
Official certified copies of criminal records are issued by two main sources — the county clerk of court and SLED at the state level. The type of document depends on the purpose of the request.
Pickens County Clerk of Court
To obtain a certified copy of a court record, contact the Clerk of Court's office directly. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
What you need:
- Full name and surname of the person
- Case number (if known)
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment of the established fee
SLED — State-Level Criminal History
To obtain a complete criminal history record, submit a request through SLED CATCH online or send a completed form with fingerprints to SLED by mail. Fingerprint checks are considered more accurate than name-based searches.
Federal Cases
If the criminal case was handled at the federal level, records are kept by the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. Access to electronic documents is through the PACER system.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Pickens
Fees depend on the type of request and the agency processing it.
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal history search through SLED CATCH (by name) | $25 per request | SLED |
| Fingerprint check (SLED) | Depends on the type of request; usually higher than name search | SLED |
| Copy of court document (Clerk of Court) | Depends on the number of pages; check with the Clerk's office | Pickens County Clerk of Court |
| Certification of copy | Additional fee for each certified document; check with the office | Pickens County Clerk of Court |
Processing times vary. Online search through CATCH usually provides results within minutes. Written requests to the Clerk of Court can take from a few business days to two weeks — depending on volume and complexity. Fingerprint checks through SLED take longer, especially if federal-level processing through the FBI is required.
Before visiting the office, call to confirm current fees and acceptable payment methods — some offices do not accept personal checks.