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Anderson County Court Records

What Is Anderson County Court Records

Anderson County court records are official documents created and maintained by the courts in Anderson County, South Carolina. These records document legal proceedings, including criminal cases, civil disputes, family court matters, and probate cases. Court records typically include filings, motions, orders, judgments, and other documents related to court cases. They serve as the official history of legal proceedings and are maintained by the Anderson County Clerk of Court.

Anderson County Clerk of Court, G. Ross Shealy, 100 S. Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624

Are Court Records Public In Anderson County

Yes, most court records in Anderson County are public records according to South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act and the common law right of access to judicial records. The public has the legal right to access and review these documents, with certain exceptions. Records that may be restricted include:

  • Juvenile records
  • Adoption proceedings
  • Mental health proceedings
  • Cases sealed by court order
  • Records containing sensitive personal information

While these records are public, accessing them requires following specific procedures established by the court system.

How To Find Court Records in Anderson County in 2025

To find court records in Anderson County in 2025, you have several options:

  1. Visit the Anderson County Courthouse in person Anderson County Courthouse, 100 S. Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624

  2. Contact the Clerk of Court office directly

    • Phone: (864) 260-4053
    • Email: available on the county website

  3. Use the South Carolina Judicial Branch's online public index South Carolina Judicial Branch, 1220 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201

  4. Submit a written request for copies of specific records

  5. Use third-party record search services (fees may apply)

When requesting records, be prepared to provide:

  • Case number (if known)
  • Names of parties involved
  • Approximate date of the case
  • Type of case

How To Look Up Court Records in Anderson County Online?

Anderson County offers several online resources for accessing court records:

  1. South Carolina Public Index - The primary online database for court records in Anderson County https://publicindex.sccourts.org/anderson/publicindex/

  2. Anderson County Clerk of Court website - Provides information about available records and how to access them https://www.andersoncountysc.org/departments-a-z/clerk-of-court/

  3. South Carolina Judicial Branch website - Offers access to statewide court information https://www.sccourts.org/

  4. Case Management System - For attorneys and registered users

When using these online systems, you can search by:

  • Case number
  • Party name
  • Filing date
  • Case type

Note that some documents may only be available in summary form online, with full documents requiring in-person access.

Can You Search Anderson County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search Anderson County court records for free through several methods:

  1. Using the South Carolina Public Index online (free to search, fees may apply for copies) https://publicindex.sccourts.org/anderson/publicindex/

  2. Visiting the Anderson County Courthouse in person to view records Anderson County Courthouse, 100 S. Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624

  3. Contacting the Clerk of Court office for basic information

While searching is free, there are fees associated with obtaining copies of court documents:

  • Regular copies: $0.25-$1.00 per page
  • Certified copies: $5.00-$10.00 per document
  • Research fees: May apply for extensive searches

What's Included in a Anderson County Court Record?

A typical Anderson County court record includes:

  1. Case Information:

    • Case number
    • Filing date
    • Case type
    • Judge assigned

  2. Party Information:

    • Names of plaintiffs and defendants
    • Attorney information
    • Contact details (may be redacted)

  3. Case Documents:

    • Complaints and petitions
    • Answers and responses
    • Motions and pleadings
    • Orders and judgments
    • Exhibits and evidence (in some cases)
    • Transcripts (if requested)

  4. Case History:

    • Chronological listing of all actions
    • Hearing dates and outcomes
    • Disposition information

  5. Financial Information:

    • Filing fees paid
    • Judgments and monetary awards
    • Payment records

How Long Does Anderson County Keep Court Records?

Anderson County follows South Carolina's record retention schedules, which vary by case type:

  1. Criminal Cases:

    • Felonies: Permanently maintained
    • Misdemeanors: 10-15 years after case closure
    • Traffic violations: 3-10 years

  2. Civil Cases:

    • Major civil cases: Permanently maintained
    • Small claims: 10 years after judgment
    • Domestic relations: Permanently maintained

  3. Probate Records:

    • Wills and estate administration: Permanently maintained
    • Guardianships: Until termination plus 10 years

  4. Family Court:

    • Divorce: Permanently maintained
    • Child custody: Until child reaches majority plus 10 years
    • Adoption: Permanently maintained

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223

Types of Courts In Anderson County

Anderson County has several types of courts, each with specific jurisdictions:

  1. Circuit Court

    • Court of Common Pleas (civil matters)
    • Court of General Sessions (criminal matters) Anderson County Courthouse, 100 S. Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624

  2. Family Court

    • Handles domestic relations and juvenile matters Anderson County Family Court, 100 S. Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624

  3. Probate Court

    • Handles wills, estates, and guardianships Anderson County Probate Court, 100 S. Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624

  4. Magistrate Courts

    • Handle minor civil cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and misdemeanors Anderson County Magistrate Court, 401 E. River Street, Anderson, SC 29624

  5. Municipal Courts

    • Handle city ordinance violations and minor offenses City of Anderson Municipal Court, 401 South Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624

What Types of Cases Do Anderson County Courts Hear?

Anderson County courts hear a wide variety of cases:

  1. Circuit Court - Court of Common Pleas:

    • Civil lawsuits over $7,500
    • Contract disputes
    • Personal injury claims
    • Property disputes
    • Appeals from lower courts

  2. Circuit Court - General Sessions:

    • Felony criminal cases
    • Serious misdemeanors
    • Criminal appeals from lower courts

  3. Family Court:

    • Divorce proceedings
    • Child custody and support
    • Adoption
    • Juvenile criminal matters
    • Domestic violence cases

  4. Probate Court:

    • Wills and estate administration
    • Guardianships and conservatorships
    • Mental health commitments
    • Marriage licenses

  5. Magistrate Courts:

    • Civil cases under $7,500
    • Landlord-tenant disputes
    • Misdemeanors with penalties up to 30 days
    • Traffic violations
    • Preliminary hearings

  6. Municipal Courts:

    • City ordinance violations
    • Minor traffic offenses
    • Public intoxication
    • Shoplifting

How To Find a Court Docket In Anderson County

A court docket is the official schedule of cases to be heard by a court. To find a court docket in Anderson County:

  1. Online Methods:

  2. In-Person Methods:

    • Visit the Clerk of Court's office Anderson County Clerk of Court, 100 S. Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624
    • Check bulletin boards in the courthouse
    • Speak with court staff

  3. Other Methods:

    • Call the Clerk of Court's office: (864) 260-4053
    • Contact the specific court division
    • Ask your attorney if you have legal representation

Court dockets typically include:

  • Case numbers
  • Party names
  • Hearing times
  • Assigned courtrooms
  • Presiding judges

Which Courts in Anderson County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Anderson County, not all courts maintain official verbatim records of their proceedings. Courts that are not courts of record include:

  1. Magistrate Courts Anderson County Magistrate Court, 401 E. River Street, Anderson, SC 29624

    • Handle small claims, minor criminal offenses, and traffic violations
    • Do not typically maintain verbatim transcripts
    • Appeals from these courts are heard de novo (completely new trial) in Circuit Court

  2. Municipal Courts City of Anderson Municipal Court, 401 South Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624

    • Handle city ordinance violations and minor offenses
    • Do not typically maintain verbatim transcripts
    • Appeals are also heard de novo in Circuit Court

These courts maintain case files with basic information about proceedings, but they do not create or keep official transcripts of all testimony and arguments presented during hearings. If a case from these courts is appealed, the higher court conducts a completely new trial rather than reviewing a transcript of the original proceedings.

Lookup Court Records in Anderson County

For comprehensive access to Anderson County court records, please visit these official resources:

  • Clerk of Court - Anderson County - The official page for the Clerk of Court in Anderson County, providing access to court records and information about the General Sessions Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Family Court.

  • South Carolina Judicial Branch - Anderson - The South Carolina Judicial Branch's page for Anderson County, offering courthouse search and access to court records and judicial information.

  • Anderson County Public Records Index - A public index for searching court records in Anderson County, including case records and court rosters.

  • Anderson County Register of Deeds - The official page for the Register of Deeds in Anderson County, providing access to property records and legal documents.

  • South Carolina Court Forms - A resource for accessing court forms used in South Carolina, including those relevant to Anderson County court proceedings.

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