Goose Creek Criminal Records
Goose Creek is the second-largest city in Berkeley County and one of the fastest-growing communities in the greater Charleston area. Criminal records in Goose Creek are held by the Goose Creek Police Department, the Berkeley County Clerk of Court, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Searching these records means knowing which agency holds the information you need. This page covers the main sources for Goose Creek criminal records, how to request them, and what free tools are available online.
Goose Creek Police Department Records
The Goose Creek Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency within city limits. Criminal records checks can be requested directly at the records window at police headquarters. The department typically provides same-day service, and most criminal records checks are completed while you wait. This makes Goose Creek one of the more convenient cities in South Carolina for obtaining a local police-based records check.
The records window handles requests for incident reports, arrest records, and offense reports generated by Goose Creek officers. You will need to provide identifying information, and there may be a nominal fee for copies. For incidents handled by other agencies or involving courts outside city jurisdiction, you will need to contact those offices separately.
The department also maintains resources under its Special Services division, including monthly crime statistics, crime prevention information, and a Youth Court program for juvenile matters. The Special Services page outlines citizen programs such as the Citizen Check-In Program and House Watch Program, which reflect the department's broader public safety role in the community.
Goose Creek FOIA Records Requests
Public records held by the City of Goose Creek are available under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, codified at SC Code § 30-4-10. This law gives the public the right to inspect and copy records created or held by government bodies. The city provides an online FOIA request form through the administration department, and a downloadable FOIA form PDF is also available for those who prefer to submit a paper request.
The form asks for the requestor's name, contact information, a specific description of the record being sought, the intended purpose, agreement to pay applicable fees, and a signature. Under SC Code § 30-4-30, a public body must respond to a FOIA request within ten business days, either by providing the records, denying the request with a written explanation, or requesting an extension. Fees may apply depending on the volume and nature of the records requested.
Certain categories of records are exempt from disclosure under § 30-4-40. These include ongoing law enforcement investigation files, records that would endanger personal safety, and some personnel records. When a request is denied in part or in full, the city must cite the specific exemption that applies.
Note: The city's FOIA office is located in the administration department and is open during standard business hours, Monday through Friday.
Berkeley County Court Records for Goose Creek
Misdemeanor and traffic cases handled by the Goose Creek Municipal Court stay within city jurisdiction. More serious criminal charges, including felony cases, are filed with the Berkeley County General Sessions Court. The Berkeley County Clerk of Court maintains all criminal filings at the county level, including indictments, plea agreements, sentencing records, and case dispositions.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch operates a free online search tool called the SC Public Index. This database allows you to search criminal, civil, and family court records by name, case number, or filing date. Records from Berkeley County courts are included in this system, making it a practical starting point for finding Goose Creek-related criminal case records without traveling to the courthouse.
For records not available online, you can contact the Berkeley County Clerk of Court directly or visit the Berkeley County government offices. The Clerk's office can provide certified copies of court documents for a per-page fee. Requesting certified copies typically requires completing a written request form and paying the applicable fee in advance.
Goose Creek Municipal Court
Goose Creek Municipal Court is located at 519 N. Goose Creek Blvd, Goose Creek, SC 29445. The court can be reached by phone at (843) 797-6220 and operates Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The court handles cases involving city ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and lower-level criminal matters that fall within municipal jurisdiction.
Online payment options are available for eligible cases. The court also oversees the Youth Court program, which handles juvenile matters at the municipal level. For juvenile records, South Carolina law under § 63-19-2010 provides that most juvenile records are sealed and not accessible as public records.
The Goose Creek Police records page includes information on how to request reports and records tied to municipal court proceedings. Court filings at the municipal level are separate from those held by the Berkeley County Clerk of Court, so it may be necessary to contact both offices if you are searching for records across different case types.
SLED Criminal History Records
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains the most complete statewide criminal history database available to the public. SLED's CATCH program (Criminal Access to Criminal History) allows individuals to search their own criminal history or submit a consent-based search for another person. The fee for a CATCH search is $25, as set by SC Code § 23-3-115.
The SLED database pulls from arrest records, court dispositions, and law enforcement agency reports submitted from across South Carolina, including Berkeley County agencies that serve Goose Creek. A SLED criminal history report covers arrests, charges, and final dispositions statewide. For records that originate outside South Carolina, the FBI's national criminal history database would need to be checked separately.
The SLED main website provides additional resources including the SC Sex Offender Registry, which is searchable by name and address. This registry is publicly accessible and lists individuals required to register under South Carolina law.
The SLED CATCH system is useful when you need a comprehensive view of someone's criminal history across all South Carolina jurisdictions rather than records limited to a single city or county. Results include both arrests and final case outcomes where dispositions have been reported to SLED.
The image below is from the SLED website, which hosts the CATCH criminal history search portal used statewide.
SLED serves as the central repository for South Carolina criminal history data, consolidating records from local agencies including those covering Goose Creek.
SC Judicial Branch Online Court Records
The South Carolina Judicial Branch operates the Public Index as a free, publicly accessible search tool for court records filed across the state. Searching the Public Index gives you access to criminal case filings in General Sessions Court, as well as records from magistrate and other lower courts that report to the system.
For Goose Creek residents and those searching for records tied to Berkeley County courts, the Public Index provides a useful online alternative to visiting the courthouse in person. You can search by the defendant's name, by case number, or by the date a case was filed. Results show case status, charges listed, hearing dates, and disposition information when available.
The screenshot below is from the SC Judicial Branch website, which hosts the Public Index court records search tool.
The Public Index is updated regularly and reflects current case status, making it a reliable resource for tracking active criminal cases in Berkeley County courts.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections inmate search is another statewide tool. It allows you to look up individuals currently incarcerated in SCDC facilities or those who have previously served time in a state prison. This is separate from local detention facilities like the Berkeley County jail.
Goose Creek Arrest Records and Offense Reports
Arrest records for incidents occurring within Goose Creek city limits are generated by the Goose Creek Police Department. When an arrest is made, the arresting officer creates an incident report that becomes part of the department's records. These reports are generally public records under SC FOIA, though active investigation files and certain sensitive materials may be withheld.
Offense reports document crimes that were reported to police, whether or not an arrest was made. Victims, witnesses, and parties named in reports can request copies through the police department's records window. Third-party requestors may also obtain copies of reports that are not otherwise exempt, subject to applicable fees and redaction of protected information.
The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office also operates in the broader county area and maintains its own arrest and offense records for incidents outside city limits. For incidents that crossed jurisdictions or involved county agencies, records from both the Goose Creek Police Department and the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office may be relevant.
Expungement of Goose Creek Criminal Records
South Carolina law provides a process for expunging certain criminal records under § 17-22-910. Expungement allows qualifying individuals to have arrest and conviction records removed from public view. Eligible offenses include first-offense misdemeanors, some drug charges after completing a diversion program, and cases where charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal.
An expungement petition is filed with the circuit court in the county where the original charge was prosecuted. For Goose Creek criminal cases handled at the county level, this would mean filing with the Berkeley County General Sessions Court. Municipal court matters may follow a slightly different procedure.
Once granted, an expungement order directs law enforcement agencies and the court to seal or destroy the record. SLED updates its criminal history database to reflect granted expungements. Individuals who believe they may qualify should consult a licensed South Carolina attorney to determine eligibility and navigate the petition process.
Note: Not all criminal records qualify for expungement, and eligibility depends on the specific offense, the disposition, and whether the individual has met all conditions of any sentence imposed.