An arrest warrant is a document that gives an officer the authority to apprehend and detain a suspect until he or she can be brought before a judge for a hearing. In South Carolina, most warrants are issued by the Magistrate Court. A judge will hear testimony or consider an affidavit to determine if there is probable cause to issue a warrant. Once the judge determines probable cause exists, an active warrant is issued directing law enforcement to arrest the suspect.
Court records and warrant searches
To do a warrant search, you should begin by searching for active court cases in Georgetown County. This can be done through the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit’s Public Index. By utilizing this online database, you can search for open and closed court cases filed in Georgetown County. This also includes criminal cases and arrest warrants. To get more information about a specific case or to get copies of court records, you must contact the Georgetown County Clerk of Court or the Magistrate Court.
The best resource for outstanding warrants and criminal histories is the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office can provide you with information about warrants that have not been executed. It can also assist with criminal history reports. However, you will not be able to get information over the telephone because of security and privacy reasons. You must visit the office in person to request information.
Picking up the phone for a question, what do you expect? (2021-data)
- The Sheriff’s Office: The agency does not currently accept requests for local background checks. So, you will only get limited criminal history data from them. However, using their non-emergency phone number (843) 546-5102 can get you details on specific warrants.
- The Court of the Magistrate: For data pertaining to traffic violation and minor misdemeanor cases: These are handled by the Court of Magistrate. Call them on (843) 545-3381 to reach the Central CDV Court, (843) 545-3383 to reach the Central Jury Court, and (843) 545-3371 for the Central Traffic Court.
- The Detention Center: It takes about 24 hours for the names of detainees who have been taken into custody to show in the online inmates’ list. So, if you want information on recent arrests; those that occurred inside of the last 24 hours, call on (843) 545-3400.
- The Office of the Clerk of Court: This agency can assist you with a criminal case search. At the least, they will tell you how to go about looking for court dockets. Call them on (843) 545-3215.
Georgetown County, SC crime data
The Police of Georgetown County had comparatively better control on the property crime rates of the area, with a drop of almost 22% in 2019. However, they could not handle the violent crime scenario. The number of incidents in this crime category increased by nearly 7%. Aggravated assaults had the highest increase rate among all crime categories, going from 200 to 250 incidents in the span of a year.
An average of 2,300 crimes was committed each year from 2002 through 2008 in Georgetown County. Of the almost 16,100 crimes committed, approximately 15% were considered violent, including 19 murders and 120 rapes. By far, the most common crimes committed were theft and burglary. Violent crimes increased by approximately 60% during this time, with overall crime rates increasing by almost 65%.