McCormick County Criminal Records Access
McCormick County criminal records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in McCormick and accessible through both local government offices and statewide digital systems. Searching these records helps residents, legal professionals, and researchers review criminal case histories within this South Carolina county. The McCormick County Clerk of Court is the official custodian of General Sessions criminal cases, while the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division provides comprehensive statewide criminal history searches for individuals whose records may extend beyond McCormick County.
McCormick County Quick Facts
McCormick County Criminal Records at the Clerk of Court
Gwendolyn D. Chiles serves as Clerk of Court for McCormick County. She can be reached by email at gchiles@mccormickcountysc.org. The office is located at 133 South Mine Street Suite 102, McCormick SC 29835. The phone number is (864) 852-2195, and the fax is (864) 852-0071. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Clerk of Court is the official custodian of all General Sessions criminal court records in McCormick County. Every felony criminal charge processed in the county passes through this office. The Clerk receives criminal warrants, transmits case files to the Solicitor's office, manages bonds posted by defendants, and handles jury administration. These functions make the Clerk's office the primary repository for felony criminal records in McCormick County.
Online access to McCormick County criminal court records is available through the South Carolina Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org/mccormick. Searches can be conducted by defendant name or case number at no charge. The Public Index is the most accessible first step for researching a specific case before requesting physical documents from the Clerk's office.
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. grants the public the right to inspect and copy most criminal court records held by the Clerk of Court. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), the office must respond to written requests within ten business days, either providing the records requested or issuing a written explanation for any denial. In-person requests made during office hours can often be handled on the same day for straightforward searches.
McCormick County Sheriff and Arrest Records
Sheriff Chad Cox leads the McCormick County Sheriff's Office. He can be reached by email at ccox@mccormickcountysc.org. The office is located at 211 W. Augusta St. Ext., with a mailing address of PO Box 1236, McCormick SC 29835. The main phone is (864) 465-2520, and the fax is (864) 465-2513. The McCormick County Jail is located at 125 S. Mine Street, McCormick SC 29835, and can be reached at (864) 465-3211.
When Sheriff's deputies make an arrest in McCormick County, a record is generated that captures the individual's name, the charges, the arresting agency, and the date of the arrest. These records are incorporated into the Clerk of Court's General Sessions case files once formal charges are filed. An arrest record documents that a person was taken into custody and charged. It does not establish guilt. Researchers should always review the full case outcome through the Public Index to understand whether charges resulted in a conviction, dismissal, or some other final disposition.
The following image is sourced from the South Carolina Judicial Department C-Track Public Access portal, which provides additional online access to court records across South Carolina including McCormick County.
The SC Judicial Department's online resources complement the McCormick County Public Index for researching court records and case histories.
Certain arrest records may be partially withheld under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40 when their disclosure could jeopardize an ongoing investigation. Finalized criminal court records at the Clerk of Court remain publicly accessible under FOIA requirements.
SLED CATCH and Statewide Criminal History for McCormick County
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division operates the CATCH portal at catch.sled.sc.gov. CATCH aggregates criminal history data reported by all South Carolina law enforcement agencies, making it the most comprehensive tool for reviewing an individual's complete statewide criminal record, including cases from McCormick County and other jurisdictions. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-120, all agencies must report criminal data to SLED, ensuring the database remains current. The search fee is $25.00 as established by S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-115, with a $1.00 online processing charge.
SLED also maintains the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry as a free public resource. For individuals incarcerated in state facilities, the SCDC inmate search provides current and historical records. These tools work alongside the McCormick County Public Index for a full picture of an individual's criminal history in South Carolina.
What McCormick County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal records from McCormick County courts generally include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number, the charges filed, and the court division handling the matter. General Sessions covers felony charges. Magistrate Court handles misdemeanors and lesser traffic matters. Case files reflect current status, including whether the case is pending, disposed, or appealed.
Documented case outcomes in McCormick County criminal records include guilty pleas, jury verdicts, sentences, fines, probation terms, and dismissals. When a case results in dismissal or acquittal, the record may be eligible for destruction under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-1-40. That statute addresses non-conviction records and provides protection from the lasting impact of charges that did not result in a finding of guilt. Juvenile records are separately governed under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010 and are confidential, accessible only to the juvenile, parents, attorneys, and the court.
Expungement of McCormick County Criminal Records
South Carolina's expungement statute at S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 allows eligible individuals to have qualifying criminal records removed from public view. When a McCormick County court grants an expungement, the Clerk of Court, the Sheriff's Office, SLED, and any other relevant agencies are directed to seal or destroy the specified records. Once an expungement is complete, those records no longer appear in the Public Index, the CATCH portal, or other standard public searches.
Eligibility in McCormick County depends on the charge type, case outcome, and the time elapsed since resolution. First-offense misdemeanors that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal are often eligible. Certain first-time nonviolent felony convictions may qualify after all sentence requirements are met and the statutory waiting period has elapsed. The process begins at the Clerk of Court's office and involves review by the 11th Circuit Solicitor before a judge makes the final ruling. More information is available at scstatehouse.gov/code/t17c022.php.
McCormick County Criminal Records and Public Records Law
South Carolina's FOIA at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 establishes the legal basis for public access to McCormick County criminal records. The full FOIA text is at scstatehouse.gov/code/t30c004.php. Exemptions under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40 cover active investigation files, confidential informant information, and records sealed by judicial order. When only part of a document falls under an exemption, the Clerk's office must still provide the non-exempt portions.
Additional statewide resources include SLED and the SC Courts case records search. Title 23 provisions governing law enforcement reporting are at scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php.
Nearby Counties
Looking for criminal records in neighboring counties? The following counties border or are near McCormick County.