Greenville County Criminal Records
What Is Greenville County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Greenville County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to South Carolina Code § 30-4-30 and serve as the official documentation of arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions of criminal cases.
The Greenville County Clerk of Court's Office maintains criminal records for cases that fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of General Sessions, which handles felonies and more serious misdemeanors. According to South Carolina law, these records include warrants, indictments, and other legal documents related to criminal proceedings.
Criminal records in Greenville County are categorized by the court that processed the case:
- General Sessions Court records (felonies and serious misdemeanors)
- Magistrate Court records (lesser misdemeanors and traffic violations)
- Municipal Court records (city ordinance violations)
The primary custodian of these records is the Greenville County Clerk of Court, which maintains the official court documentation for criminal cases.
Greenville County Clerk of Court
301 University Ridge, Suite 5600
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-8551
Greenville County Clerk of Court's Office
Are Criminal Records Public In Greenville County
Criminal records in Greenville County are generally considered public information in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including criminal case information, with certain exceptions.
Members of the public may access most criminal records through the Public Index Search system maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Department. This searchable database contains information on criminal cases filed in the Court of General Sessions.
However, certain categories of criminal records may be restricted from public access, including:
- Records that have been expunged pursuant to S.C. Code § 17-22-910
- Juvenile records, which are confidential under S.C. Code § 63-19-2010
- Records sealed by court order
- Cases involving certain victims of domestic violence or sexual assault
- Pending investigations that have not yet resulted in formal charges
The Greenville County Clerk of Court provides access to public criminal records during regular business hours. Individuals seeking to review these records must comply with established procedures for record requests and may be required to pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Greenville County in 2025
Individuals seeking criminal records in Greenville County in 2025 have several methods available to them, pursuant to South Carolina public records laws. The process varies depending on the type of information needed and the purpose of the search.
For in-person searches, requestors may visit:
Greenville County Clerk of Court
301 University Ridge, Suite 5600
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-8551
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Greenville County Clerk of Court's Office
The Clerk's office provides criminal record checks for a fee. As of 2025, the following options are available:
- 5-year background check
- 10-year background search
- 15-year background search
For cases handled by lower courts, requestors may contact:
Greenville County Magistrate Courts
4 McGee Street
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-8551
Magistrate Courts
City of Greenville Municipal Court
426 N. Main Street
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-4400
Municipal Court
For current inmate information, the public may utilize the Inmate Search tool provided by the Greenville County Detention Center. This database is updated regularly and allows searches by first and last name.
Requestors should note that certain fees may apply for record searches and copies, as authorized by S.C. Code § 30-4-30(b). Proper identification is required for all in-person requests.
How To Find Criminal Records in Greenville County Online?
Greenville County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically, in accordance with South Carolina's public records laws. These digital platforms offer convenient access to court records and case information.
The primary online resource is the Public Index Search portal maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Department. This database allows users to search for criminal cases by:
- Defendant name
- Case number
- Filing date
- Case type
For comprehensive court record searches, the Greenville County Court Records Search provides access to information from the Court of General Sessions, which handles criminal matters in South Carolina. Users should note that this system may not include all historical records, as some older cases may not be digitized.
The Greenville County Sheriff's Office maintains current detention information through their Inmate Search portal, which is updated regularly with information on individuals currently held in county detention facilities.
For background check purposes, the county offers an online Background Search service that provides criminal history information for specified time periods. Fees apply for these searches, and results are typically provided within 1-3 business days.
Users should be aware that online records may not be comprehensive, as certain cases may be sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted from public access pursuant to South Carolina law. For the most complete information, in-person requests at the Clerk of Court's office may be necessary.
Can You Search Greenville County Criminal Records for Free?
Greenville County provides limited free access to criminal records information in compliance with South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act. However, the scope of free searches is restricted, and comprehensive searches typically involve fees.
Free resources available to the public include:
- The Public Index Search portal, which provides basic case information including defendant name, charges, case status, and upcoming court dates
- The Inmate Search database, which allows users to verify if an individual is currently incarcerated in Greenville County detention facilities
- Public terminals located at the Greenville County Courthouse, which provide on-site access to the public index during regular business hours
For more comprehensive criminal history information, fees are assessed in accordance with S.C. Code § 30-4-30. Current fee schedules for criminal record searches include:
- 5-year background check: $25
- 10-year background search: $35
- 15-year background search: $45
These fees are established to cover the administrative costs associated with record retrieval and processing. Payment methods include credit/debit cards, money orders, and cashier's checks. Personal checks are not accepted for record search fees.
Certain exemptions to fees may apply for governmental agencies, non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations, and individuals seeking their own records for employment or housing purposes. Documentation of eligibility for fee waivers must be provided at the time of request.
What's Included in a Greenville County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Greenville County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained pursuant to South Carolina Code § 14-17-510, which establishes the Clerk of Court's record-keeping responsibilities.
A typical Greenville County criminal record contains the following elements:
- Defendant's personal information (name, date of birth, address)
- Arrest information, including date, location, and arresting agency
- Charges filed, including statute numbers and offense descriptions
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Court proceedings and hearing dates
- Disposition information (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Sentencing details, including incarceration, probation, or fines
- Post-conviction information, such as appeals or probation violations
The Greenville County Clerk of Court maintains records specifically for cases within the jurisdiction of the Court of General Sessions, which include warrants, indictments, and other legal documents related to criminal proceedings.
Records from Magistrate Courts, which handle lesser offenses, contain similar information but are maintained separately from General Sessions records. The Greenville County Magistrate Courts have countywide jurisdiction over certain criminal matters, and their records include traffic violations, minor misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings.
It should be noted that criminal records do not typically include juvenile proceedings, which are confidential under South Carolina law, or cases that have been expunged pursuant to court order.
What Are the Penalties for a Greenville County Criminal Trespass Charge?
Criminal trespass in Greenville County is prosecuted under South Carolina Code § 16-11-600 and carries varying penalties depending on the specific circumstances and the defendant's prior record. The offense is categorized based on severity and intent.
For first-degree trespass, which involves entering property after receiving notice prohibiting entry, penalties may include:
- Maximum imprisonment of 30 days
- Fine not exceeding $500
- Both imprisonment and fine at the court's discretion
Second-degree trespass, involving entry onto property where notice against trespass is posted, carries:
- Maximum imprisonment of 30 days
- Fine not exceeding $200
- Both imprisonment and fine at the court's discretion
Third-degree trespass, the least severe category, typically results in:
- Fine not exceeding $100
- Maximum imprisonment of 30 days if fine is not paid
These cases are generally handled by the Greenville County Magistrate Courts or the City of Greenville Municipal Court, depending on the jurisdiction where the offense occurred.
Aggravating factors that may enhance penalties include:
- Trespass with a weapon
- Damage to property during trespass
- Trespass with intent to commit another crime
- Prior trespass convictions
Defendants facing criminal trespass charges in Greenville County are processed through the judicial system, which may include booking at the Greenville County Detention Center, where information is entered into the inmate database for public access.
The Greenville County Sheriff's Office is responsible for investigating trespass complaints in unincorporated areas of the county, while municipal police departments handle cases within city limits.
How Long Does Greenville County Keep Criminal Records?
Greenville County maintains criminal records in accordance with South Carolina's record retention schedules established under S.C. Code § 30-1-90. These schedules determine how long different types of criminal records must be preserved.
For felony cases handled by the Court of General Sessions, records are maintained permanently. This includes:
- Murder cases
- Sexual assault cases
- Armed robbery
- Other serious felonies
For lesser offenses, retention periods vary:
- Misdemeanor cases: Minimum of 10 years after case disposition
- Traffic violations: 10 years from date of disposition
- Dismissed cases: 3 years from date of dismissal
- Expunged records: Removed from public access immediately upon court order
The Greenville County Clerk of Court's Office serves as the official custodian of court records and maintains both physical and electronic archives of criminal case files. Older records may be stored in off-site facilities or archived formats, which may affect retrieval times for historical cases.
Criminal history information maintained for background check purposes through the Background Search system typically covers periods of 5, 10, or 15 years, depending on the search requested.
It should be noted that even after county retention periods expire, criminal history information may still be maintained in state and federal databases, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Individuals seeking to limit access to their criminal records may petition for expungement under applicable South Carolina laws, which, if granted, would remove eligible records from public access.
Lookup Criminal Records in Greenville County
Detention Center Inmate Search
Greenville County Court Records
Clerk of Court Criminal Record Checks