As there may be more one source to obtaining South Carolina criminal, civil and divorce records, it is important to search multiple state courts to find the correct records.

South Carolina State Court Structure:

The South Carolina municipal court maintains jurisdiction over misdemeanor, DWI or DUI from up to 30 days and/or $500, and traffic or other violation cases. The municipal court hears preliminary hearings. The South Carolina municipal court has jury trials. The South Carolina probate court has jurisdiction over marriage licenses, estates of deceased persons, guardianships of incompetents, conservator ships of estates of minors and incompetents, minor settlements under $25,000 and involuntary commitments to institutions for mentally ill and/or chemically dependent persons. The probate court also has exclusive jurisdiction over trusts and concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Courts over powers of attorney. The South Carolina magistrate court has jurisdiction over tort, contract, and real property rights cases, from $0 to $7,500. The South Carolina magistrate court has jurisdiction over small claims of up to $7,500. The magistrate court also hears misdemeanor, DWI or DUI, from up to 30 days and/or $500, and traffic or other violation cases. The magistrate court handles preliminary hearings. The magistrate court hears jury trials. The South Carolina family court has exclusive domestic relations jurisdiction. The family court also has jurisdiction over traffic or other violation, but for juvenile cases only. The family court also hears juvenile proceedings. The family court has no jury trials. The South Carolina circuit court has jurisdiction over tort, contract, real property rights, and miscellaneous civil cases. The circuit court has exclusive civil appeals jurisdiction. The South Carolina circuit court hears cases involving misdemeanors over 30 days, and DWI or DUI, second offense or greater. The circuit court has exclusive felony, criminal appeals, and miscellaneous criminal jurisdiction. The circuit court has jury trials except in appeals. The South Carolina court of appeals has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, and original proceeding cases assigned by the Supreme Court. The court of appeals has no discretionary jurisdiction. The South Carolina supreme court has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, capital criminal, criminal, juvenile, disciplinary, certified questions from federal courts, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases. The supreme court has discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, original proceeding, interlocutory decision cases.