Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Charleston County Bail and Release
When police arrest an adult in Charleston County, booking happens at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center, 3841 Leeds Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405, which the Sheriff's Office runs. Tower A holds eight housing units, and Towers B and C hold 21 more, plus the lobby, medical care and an infirmary. Youths go to a separate juvenile center off the main campus. Below you will learn about bond court, bond types, paying, bondsmen and refunds.
Step one is checking custody. The Sheriff's inmate lookup lets you search a range of arrest dates. Our Jail Roster page deals with the arrest itself: fresh bookings, the counts filed, warrants still open, booking photos, court-appointed lawyers and claiming belongings at release.
Next, phone the jail at 843-202-7200. Have the birth date handy along with the legal name, then ask about the charges, whether a bond has been set and which bond court session is next. After release, our court page shows how the case moves on.
1. Who sets bond after a Charleston County arrest?
A magistrate sets it at Centralized Bond Court, 3831 Leeds Avenue, Suite 200, North Charleston, SC 29405. That is on the same street as the jail. The magistrates' main office answers at 843-202-6600. Hearings run on a fixed schedule:
- Monday through Friday at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Sunday and holidays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
State law says every person arrested gets a bond hearing within 24 hours (S.C. Code 22-5-510). The judge reads the charges and sets the bond and any rules. Nobody enters a plea at this stage, and victims may attend and speak. After the bond reaches the jail, release must follow within four hours.
Cases brought by the City of Charleston can go to the city's own bond court instead, at 180 B Lockwood Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29403, 843-724-7460. It meets weekdays at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays. City judges have the power to set and accept bonds (S.C. Code 14-25-115).
↑ Back to the question list2. What kinds of bond are possible in South Carolina?
For any charge that can't bring death, the starting point is release on a written promise to return (S.C. Code 17-15-10). The judge moves away from that only if the promise seems unlikely to get the person back to court, or if someone would be at risk. The choices are:
- Personal recognizance. A signature is enough to leave. Nothing is paid unless they skip court.
- Cash bond. Someone pays every dollar of it up front. Instead of signing a recognizance, a person may deposit cash with the magistrate or city judge (S.C. Code 22-5-530).
- Surety bond. You hire a licensed bondsman, who pledges the whole sum to the court and keeps a fee for that promise.
- Ten percent deposit. With the judge's OK, a cash deposit worth no more than a tenth of the bond goes to the clerk of court. This is not allowed for violent charges, or for a gun felony charged while already on bond (S.C. Code 17-15-15).
- GPS monitor. A judge may order an ankle monitor in place of a money bond or on top of one (S.C. Code 17-15-35).
Every bond carries basic rules. The person must come to court, stay in South Carolina and stay out of trouble (S.C. Code 17-15-20). The judge can add more, like no contact with a victim.
↑ Back to the question list3. How much is bond for common Charleston County charges?
Bond is set one person at a time, so there is no price list. The magistrate weighs the charge, past convictions and the person's local ties. These groups show how the charge shapes the result:
- Small charges in summary court, with a top penalty of $500, 30 days or both. The law starts from a signed promise. In city cases, a surety bond can't be more than the highest fine.
- Third-degree assault and battery. The top penalty is $500, 30 days or both (S.C. Code 16-3-600(E)(2)).
- Shoplifting of $2,000 or less. Up to $1,000, 30 days or both, heard in a magistrate or city court (S.C. Code 16-13-110).
- Shoplifting worth more than $2,000. This is a felony. Under $10,000, the cap is five years. At $10,000 and up, it is ten years.
- Other felonies. The class sets the top prison term, from 5 years for Class F to 30 years for Class A (S.C. Code 16-1-20).
- Violent crimes on the state list. A magistrate may set a bond or refuse one (S.C. Code 16-1-60).
- Murder and other charges that can bring death or life. Only a circuit judge can set bond.
To learn the exact amount once bond court ends, phone the jail at 843-202-7200.
↑ Back to the question list4. Bonding someone out at the Leeds Avenue jail: what's the process?
The jail stands at 3841 Leeds Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405. Work through these steps:
- Call 843-202-7200. If the line is busy, try the other main number, 843-202-7222.
- Ask for the bond amount, the bond type and every charge it covers.
- Ask where the money is taken: at the jail, the bond court or the clerk of court. Also ask which kinds of payment are accepted and who the payee should be.
- For a surety bond, call a licensed bondsman. The bondsman files the paperwork with the court.
- Carry photo ID and the precise amount. Hold on to each receipt.
Under state law, the person should walk out within four hours after the bond is in (S.C. Code 22-5-510). The main entrance has a metal detector and a bag scanner, so leave anything sharp at home.
↑ Back to the question list5. Can a court window take the bond instead?
Yes, and the right office depends on which court has the case.
- City of Charleston Municipal Court, 180 B Lockwood Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29403, 843-724-7460. The cashier window takes fines and bonds Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clerks there take cash, certified checks, money orders and cards. Personal checks are refused. By mail, the city wants a money order or cashier's check in its name. Questions can also go to bondcourt@charleston-sc.gov.
- Magistrate cases go through the Summary Court office, 4045 Bridge View Drive, Suite B143, North Charleston, SC 29405, 843-202-6600. Ask there how a cash bond is paid and where.
- Ten percent deposits go to the Clerk of Court, 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-958-5000. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6. Which payments do the courts and jail take?
Cash, money orders and cashier's checks are the safest choices. Phone ahead before relying on a card. The city court window is the clearest case. It takes cash, certified checks, money orders and cards, but never a personal check.
The county has a card payment portal for magistrate courts. It is built for tickets, fines and bench warrants, not for bonding someone out of jail. It adds a $1.00 portal fee plus 1.7 percent and does not take part payments. Posting may take as long as 72 hours.
For a jail bond, ask the jail at 843-202-7200 which payments it takes before you drive over. Never send cash in the mail.
↑ Back to the question list7. What can a South Carolina bondsman charge?
The South Carolina Department of Insurance licenses every bondsman and runner. State law caps what they charge (S.C. Code 38-53-170(e)):
- The fee, called a premium, can't be more than 15 percent of the bond.
- The minimum fee is the larger of $100 or a tenth of the bond.
- Installment plans start with at least $100 down and must be paid off within 18 months.
- That premium is what the bondsman earns. Even dropped charges won't get it refunded.
- Collateral goes back to you no later than ten days after the bondsman's duty ends, as long as no bench warrant is out.
- Missing a premium payment, by itself, is not enough reason to turn the person back in (S.C. Code 38-53-50(B)).
Soliciting business at a courthouse, magistrate's office or jail is against the rules for bondsmen. So is steering you to a particular attorney. To check a license, call the department's licensing staff at 803-737-0719. To complain, contact the South Carolina Department of Insurance, 1201 Main Street, Suite 1000, Columbia, SC 29201, 803-737-6160.
↑ Back to the question list8. What keeps someone in the Charleston County jail after bond?
A bond covers only its own charge. Before you pay, ask the jail at 843-202-7200 to read you every hold. Common ones:
- A second case. A city charge and a magistrate charge each need their own bond.
- A warrant from somewhere else. Another county or state may want the person first.
- Probation or parole. An alleged violation of supervision can add its own hold. The Charleston office of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services is at 1357 Remount Road, Suite 7, North Charleston, SC 29406, 843-740-1553.
- A charge only a circuit judge can bond. The person waits for that hearing.
- A new violent or gun felony while on bond. The first bond is revoked by law, with a circuit court hearing within 30 days (S.C. Code 17-15-55(C)).
- A federal or immigration hold. State bond does not end either one.
9. When can a judge in South Carolina refuse bond?
Under the state constitution, most people can get bail, and the amount may not be excessive (S.C. Const. art. I, § 15). A judge may still deny it for three groups of charges, after weighing the proof:
- crimes that can bring the death penalty
- crimes that can bring life in prison
- violent crimes named in state law, such as armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking and first- or second-degree burglary (S.C. Code 16-1-60)
The judge must look at the person's record, other open cases, any bond they are already out on, gang database listing, and unlawful presence in the country with risk of flight (S.C. Code 17-15-30). Family ties, work, money and past missed court dates count too. Committing a violent crime while on bond for another one counts as a separate felony carrying as much as five years (S.C. Code 17-15-270).
Prosecutors who argue about bond work for the Ninth Circuit Solicitor's Office, O.T. Wallace Building, 101 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-958-1900.
↑ Back to the question list10. Can a lawyer get the bond lowered?
Either side can ask a judge to change the bond or its rules, after notice and a hearing (S.C. Code 17-15-50). Here is the usual path:
- A defense lawyer files a motion to reduce or change the bond.
- For magistrate cases, the Centralized Preliminary Hearing Court may hear it. It sits daily at 3831 Leeds Avenue, Suite 100, North Charleston, SC 29405, 843-202-6600.
- For General Sessions charges, a circuit judge can review a bond that a magistrate set (S.C. Code 17-15-55). File through the Clerk of Court, 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-958-5000.
- Bring proof of a job, a home, family ties and what you can truly pay.
- Suggest conditions that ease the judge's concern, like wearing a GPS monitor (S.C. Code 17-15-35).
The state can also ask for an emergency hearing to raise or revoke a bond. A circuit judge must hold it within 48 hours.
↑ Back to the question list11. Who can get a public defender in Charleston County?
A person too poor to hire an attorney gets one appointed, unless they turn it down (S.C. Code 17-3-10). They swear to their income and debts on a form, and a $40 application fee applies. The clerk may lower or waive the fee for someone who can't pay (S.C. Code 17-3-30). For a child, the parent signs and owes the fee.
The local office belongs to the Ninth Circuit, which serves Charleston and Berkeley counties (S.C. Code 17-3-510):
- Public Defender, 101 Meeting Street, 5th Floor, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-958-1850
- South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense, 1330 Lady Street, Suite 401, Columbia, SC 29201, 803-734-1343
Ask about the form at bond court, or call the office the next business day.
↑ Back to the question list12. Which courts handle Charleston County cases?
Most first hearings happen near the jail. Later steps move downtown.
- Magistrate courts, one phone for all three, 843-202-6600: Centralized Bond Court, 3831 Leeds Avenue, Suite 200, North Charleston, SC 29405; Centralized Preliminary Hearing Court, 3831 Leeds Avenue, Suite 100, North Charleston, SC 29405; and the Summary Court office, 4045 Bridge View Drive, Suite B143, North Charleston, SC 29405.
- Court of General Sessions, Clerk of Court, 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-958-5000. Felonies and serious misdemeanors.
- Family Court, 100 Broad Street, Suite 143, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-958-4400. Charges against children.
- City of Charleston Municipal Court, 180 B Lockwood Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29403, 843-724-7460.
- Sullivan's Island Municipal Court, 2056 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482, 843-883-5734.
- Federal court, J. Waties Waring Judicial Center, 83 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-579-1401.
Other towns also handle their own tickets. For a town case, call the Summary Court office to learn which court has it.
↑ Back to the question list13. How is bond money returned, and when is it lost?
Cash left with a court is paid back after it has served its purpose, which in practice means the case has closed and the person made every hearing (S.C. Code 17-15-220). A 10 percent deposit is returned after the bond rules are met, minus any restitution the judge ordered (S.C. Code 17-15-15). The bondsman's premium is never refunded.
Skipping court puts the money at risk:
- The judge issues a bench warrant.
- On a felony, willfully missing court can bring up to $5,000 and five years. On a misdemeanor with a top term of a year or more, it can bring up to $1,000 and one year (S.C. Code 17-15-90).
- If the person is still missing 90 days after the bench warrant, a surety bond is forfeited (S.C. Code 38-53-70).
- A judge may forgive part or all of a forfeited bond when the miss was not on purpose (S.C. Code 17-15-180).
To get money back, call the court that took it. For General Sessions cases, that is the Clerk of Court at 843-958-5000.
↑ Back to the question list14. How are cash and belongings picked up at release?
The jail hands back property and cash every day during two windows, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Go to 3841 Leeds Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405.
- The person in custody must sign a Valuable Property/Cash Release Form before anything goes to you.
- Any check is written to the person in custody, not to you.
- After any money has been spent or moved on the person's jail account, the jail stops handing out cash from it. A bondsman or a lawyer is the only exception.
- Bring a photo ID.
Call 843-202-7200 first to ask what is waiting. Our inmate account guide explains deposits and leftover balances.
↑ Back to the question list15. Who handles bond in a Charleston County federal case?
Federal charges brought against someone from this county are filed in the Charleston Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. That division also covers Berkeley, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester and Georgetown counties. The court sits at the J. Waties Waring Judicial Center, 83 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-579-1401, open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- At the first federal appearance, the judge weighs jail against release (18 U.S.C. 3142). Postponing it is allowed, five days at most when defense counsel asks and three when federal prosecutors ask.
- Before trial, U.S. Marshals hold the person. Reach their local office at 85 Broad Street, Room 260, Charleston, SC 29401, 843-727-4255, to learn where the person is housed.
- When a prison term is handed down, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
16. Will ICE still hold them after bond is posted?
Yes, it can. Posting bond settles only the state charge. Federal immigration officers work on their own track:
- Leeds Avenue staff get a detainer on Form I-247A, signed by an officer of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Staff there may hold the person up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
- Federal agents then come to Leeds Avenue to take custody.
- Look them up in the ICE Online Detainee Locator. Enter the legal name plus the nation where they were born, or use their A-number.
State law goes further. When someone is jailed on a criminal charge, staff have 72 hours to find out if that person is in the U.S. unlawfully. If so, they must alert the Department of Homeland Security (S.C. Code 23-3-1100). A bond judge must also consider whether the person is here unlawfully and likely to flee (S.C. Code 22-5-510(D)(4)). ICE's South Carolina office is at 3950 Faber Place Drive, North Charleston, SC 29405, 843-746-9800.
↑ Back to the question list17. What follows a sentence longer than three months?
A term no longer than three months normally stays local, in the county jail (S.C. Code 24-3-30). Longer sentences go to the South Carolina Department of Corrections, which picks the place (S.C. Code 24-3-20).
- New state prisoners start with reception and evaluation. No in-person visiting happens during that step unless it runs beyond 30 days.
- Afterward, the department assigns a permanent prison.
- Use the SCDC inmate search. It shows people in state custody as of midnight the day before.
- The department is at 4444 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210, 803-896-8500. The separate SC VINE line, 866-727-2846, sends custody alerts.
- See our South Carolina prisons guide for each facility.
18. Where does a teen arrested here end up?
Family Court treats people younger than 18 as children. One group is left out: 17-year-olds facing a top-tier felony (Classes A to D) or a felony with a 15-year-plus maximum (S.C. Code 63-19-20(1)). Here, youths are held at the Charleston County Juvenile Detention Center, a division of the Sheriff's Office set apart from the main jail. To reach it, call the Sheriff's Office at 843-202-1700.
- Holding a child in an adult lockup is capped at six hours. Children age 10 and under may never be locked up (S.C. Code 63-19-820).
- A judge holds a detention hearing within 48 hours, and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays don't eat into that time (S.C. Code 63-19-830).
- Teens aged 14 to 16 facing serious felonies can have the case moved up to General Sessions following a hearing (S.C. Code 63-19-1210).
- The Department of Juvenile Justice office is at 3887 Leeds Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405, 843-740-1649.
Paying an Inmate's Bail or Bond in Charleston County
The Charleston County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Charleston County.
However if you don't want to use a bail bond agent:
- You can always pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Charleston County, or in some cases the state of South Carolina, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Charleston County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in South Carolina is between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15% or less. So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1,500.00.
- Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center, or the courthouse in Charleston County where the offense took place.
Call 843-202-7200 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Charleston County inmate locator.
Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center
Address:
3841 Leeds Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone:
843-202-7200
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Charleston County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance. Bail is not a punishment.
The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program.
Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane.
If a judge in Charleston County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR. South Carolina state law requires that all accused be ROR unless they would be a danger to public safety or a flight risk.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different.
The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions.
Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Charleston County or district directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.
DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond. This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation.
Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.
On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.
What are the different types of bonds in Charleston County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them.
To describe the types of bonds, let’s use an example of buying your neighbor’s car. Your neighbor decides the price of the car and how they would be paid.
Similarly, the court (meaning a police or bail officer, clerk of court, bail magistrate or judge) determines the bail amount and how it would be paid.
Here are different options that the seller of the car or the court might consider:
You could pay full asking price for the car in cash. This is similar to paying cash bail. The full amount of bail would be paid to the town or county clerk or at the jail. Cash, cashier’s checks and credit cards are usually accepted.
You could sign an agreement on your own or with another person to pay for the car at a future date knowing that your neighbor would know where to find you if you stopped payment. This would be similar to a cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond which are bonds to where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible for making sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.
Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
You can put a deposit down for your neighbor’s car and sign an agreement that the car will be paid off at a later date. Cash percentage in lieu of bonds is when the defendant pays a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10%, to the court which then holds the money until the case is over. This option is commonly used in South Carolina and avoids the use of a bondsperson.
The amount is returned to the person who paid the 10% after the case is over. In most cases, the full amount is not returned if there are court fees or fines due. This is a type of surety bond if another person signs the bond paperwork.
You could sign an agreement that if the car were not paid off, that your neighbor would get your house or something of value.
A property bond is a bond that the courts might consider in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).
Usually, the property must be in the same state as the courts, and it must be worth at least 1 ½ - 2 times the amount of the bond.
There are multiple court fees involved to execute a property bond with the courts and a tedious process to get the property deed back. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond.
You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.
Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
Does Charleston County have bail?
Yes, Charleston County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Charleston County?
Charleston County recognizes most types of bonds as listed at this site. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Charleston County?
Magistrate or Municipal judges conduct most bond hearings. Circuit Court judges must set bond on charges where the penalty is life imprisonment or death.
When is bail set in South Carolina?
Bail is set at the bond hearing when the judge sets the amount and conditions of a bond. This will generally occur within 24 hours from the time of arrest, not counting weekends or holidays. During this time, the solicitor learns about the crime and creates the charges.
In cases where the crime could result in life imprisonment or death sentence, the bond must be heard in the circuit court at the next term of General Sessions Court.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Charleston County South Carolina?
A General Sessions judge can modify a bond set by a Magistrate or Municipal Court judge. Modifications go both ways; judges can increase or decrease the bond amount. To get a bond modification, file a Motion to Reconsider Bond with the Clerk of Court.
In Charleston County South Carolina, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend or bondsperson, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back.
A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of South Carolina could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
The person who is posting bail pays the bond to the Clerk of Court at the same court as the bond hearing. In turn, they would receive a release letter to take back to the jail for release of the arrested person.
Can bail be paid online in Charleston County South Carolina?
Yes, South Carolina does offer online bail payment in most counties. Contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center for more information about the jails in Charleston County or contact the Clerk of Court of the court that held the bond hearing during normal business hours.
What options are there to pay bail in Charleston County South Carolina?
Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted: Go to the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center for more information about posting bail in Charleston County or contact the Clerk of Court.
Will I get all my bond money back in South Carolina?
Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount. If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Charleston County?
The judge or officer who sets bail determines which kind of bail will be an option for you, but a cash bond and PR bonds usually do not require cash down, though you might have to pay court fees.
A cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond are bonds where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible to make sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up. A surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in South Carolina?
The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company. You are not obligated to use the first company available and can call several companies to compare what kind of bonds that the bondsperson is willing to execute.
The percentage of bail that the bond company can charge is set, usually at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.
How do I find out if someone was arrested in Charleston County?
There are five ways to find out if someone was arrested in Charleston County:
1. Look them up on the official jail inmate roster.
2. Look them up on vinelink.com, a national inmate tracking resource.
3. Call the jail at 843-202-7200. This is available 24 hours a day.
4. Write or visit the jail and request information.
You can reach them at:
Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center
3841 Leeds Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405
5. Do a search online using this person’s name, the town or city you think they were arrested in, and the crime you think they were arrested for. Sometimes the local newspaper, police department or sheriff’s office will have a daily police blotter published on their website.
What information is included in jail booking records and roster?
Jail booking records, also known as the jail roster, typically include the following information:
• Full name of the inmate
• Inmate's physical characteristics (age, sex, height, weight, etc.)
• Inmate’s mugshot(s)
• Booking number, Inmate ID#, Jacket #, etc.
• Booking date and time
• Charges or offense details – the applicable statute
• Bond or bail amount, if applicable
• Court date, if set, plus the court name and location
• Previous arrests in this jurisdiction, conviction details, and sentence
- Note that not all this information will be included. Most booking records and jail inmate rosters contain only the basic information such as name, date of arrest and the criminal charge.
- The amount and quality of the information depends on the state’s laws and the jail’s policies.
How often are jail booking records and rosters updated?
Most jails update their records at least once per day. Some booking information is updated as often as every 15 minutes in the roster. From the time a person is first arrested until when they are booked in the jail, it can be as short as a couple of hours, up to 24 hours, or even longer if they were arrested during a major event such as a protest or riot in which hundreds of people were arrested at the same time.
How do I find an inmate in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center?
There are seven ways to find an inmate in Charleston County or the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center:
1. Look them up on the official jail inmate roster.
2. Look them up on vinelink.com, a national inmate tracking resource.
3. Call the jail at 843-202-7200. This is available 24 hours a day.
4. Call local police departments in Charleston County. Sometimes the local jails will hold recent arrestees for up to 72 hours before transporting them the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center.
5. Check with the jails in neighboring counties and look up their rosters. It is always possible they were arrested there instead of Charleston County.
6. Write or visit the jail and request information.
Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center
3841 Leeds Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405
7. Do a search online using this person’s name, the town or city you think they were arrested in, and the crime you think they were arrested for. Sometimes the local newspaper, police department or sheriff’s office will have a daily police blotter published on their website as well.
How do I find an inmate in a South Carolina state prison?
You can find an inmate in the South Carolina Department of Corrections by searching for them on the State Prison Locator, Vinelink.com (a nationwide inmate locator resource), or by calling the Department of Corrections.
How do I find an inmate in federal prison?
- The United States Bureau of Prisons maintains an up-to-date inmate locator where you can look up any inmate that has been in federal prison from 1982 to the present day.
- If they are currently in custody, you can see what institution they are in.
- If they are in transport, meaning they are being shuttled from one prison to another, that information will not be available. If they are no longer in custody, it will list their discharge date.
- Other information provided is their BOP Registry Number (inmate ID#), their race, age and release date.
- If they are in custody, there are links to how to visit them, send them money, communicating with them and sending the prison a concern you may have about them.
How do I find a detainee in an ICE facility?
- The US Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement maintains an up-to-date online detainee locator of all foreign detainees aged 18 and older that are in the custody of ICE.
- When searching by name, a detainee's first and last names are required and must be an exact match. When inputting a hyphenated last name into the Online Detainee Locator System, include the hyphen for the locator to find the individual (e.g., Doe-Smith).
- You can also search by using an A-number (Alien Registration Number) if you have it at the same link. The A-Number must be exactly nine digits long. If the A-Number has fewer than nine digits, add zeros at the beginning.
- You are also required to select the detainee's correct Country of Birth from the drop-down menu provided on the page.
NOTE: If an alien is arrested for a state crime, you will still be able to locate them in the police jail or the county jail where they were arrested. If it was a misdemeanor crime, they would do their time in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center or the county jail where they were arrested and convicted.
If they were convicted of a South Carolina state felony and sent to state prison, and not deported, then you can locate them in the South Carolina state prison system.
How do I find an inmate in juvenile detention?
In the United States, a juvenile is a person under the age of 18. If a juvenile is arrested for a crime, it is unlikely that their name will be publicly listed on an inmate search page or detention center roster, or will be released to the public. Only the juvenile’s parents or legal guardians will be given that information.
If the crime is a serious felony such as Capital Murder, some states will release their name to the public, either when they are first arrested or after they are convicted. However, in general, it is unlikely that an inmate who is a juvenile will have their name released in any public way.
How can I see if someone is in jail or prison in Charleston County or the state of South Carolina?
For online searches, if you want to see if someone is in jail in Charleston County, go here.
If you want a list of all the other county jail inmate searches in South Carolina, go here.
If you want a list of all the county jails in the United States, go here.
If you want to look up an inmate in any of the South Carolina state prisons, go here. To look up the prisons in South Carolina, go here.
How do I get information on someone in jail in Charleston County?
If you want detailed information on a particular inmate in in jail in Charleston County, and you can’t find it online in the jail inmate roster, your only other option is to either call the jail at 843-202-7200, go to the jail in person and ask, or write them at:
Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center
3841 Leeds Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405
That said, most jails will limit the amount of information that they give to the public about an inmate in their roster because the offender is considered innocent until proven guilty, and thus is afforded a certain amount of privacy.
Once an offender is convicted, you are far more likely to find out information about them.
If you are good at using Google, you can dig into a person’s past and learn as much information about anyone as someone in the media can.
You can also search a website that has all the public records about people. One of the best online websites we found will cost you only $1.00.
Who can I call to find an inmate in Charleston County?
To find an inmate in custody or ask about their roster in Charleston County call 843-202-7200 24 hours a day.
Does the jail or prison have to keep the inmate in the county or state where they are charged or convicted?
No. Even though 99.9% of all pre-trial and convicted inmates are kept in the state where they were arrested and/or convicted, they can be kept in any US jail or prison that will have them. This is seen in circumstances where a jurisdiction is overcrowded, or an inmate is moved for their safety. That said, a person must stand trial where they were arrested unless the presiding judge or prosecuting attorney agrees to move the offender’s trial to a different jurisdiction if it is likely they will not get a fair trial.
What if I can’t find an inmate and I know they are in custody in Charleston County?
If you know an inmate is in custody in Charleston County, and you can’t find them, it can mean one of several things:
1. Either you or the jail has the spelling of the inmate’s name wrong.
2. The jail has not yet updated their booking information or roster.
3. The inmate has already been released.
4. The inmate has either been arrested or is being housed in another jail.
5. The inmate is underage; therefore, it is illegal to post their information, or the inmate you are trying to find had their age incorrectly listed as someone under age 18.
I know the person was arrested and in jail, but my search in the roster comes back as “no record found.” What happened?
Same answer as that above. If you know an inmate is in custody in Charleston County, but your search comes back in the roster as “no record found.”, it can mean one of several things:
1. Either you or the jail has the spelling of the inmate’s name wrong.
2. The jail has not yet updated their booking information or roster.
3. The inmate has already been released.
4. The inmate has either been arrested or is being housed in another jail.
5. The inmate is underage; therefore it is illegal to post their information, or the inmate you are trying to find had their age incorrectly listed as someone under age 18.
I was released from jail in Charleston County, but my record still shows. When will it go away?
If your record of arrest and booking is still showing online, even though you were released, it is because some jails allow that information to remain public indefinitely. Unfortunately, even though the charges against you may have been dropped, many jails will not erase that information from their public records voluntarily.
In a situation like this your only option will be to get an attorney and request they petition the court to force the jail to remove this information. That said, if you were in fact found guilty of the crime you were arrested for, it is unlikely they will remove the information surrounding your arrest and conviction.
An inmate’s family member just died; how can I let them know right away?
The death of a family member is one of the few times, if not the only time, that a jail will take a message for an inmate. Because of the sensitivity of the tragic news, when a family member has died, the news will be transmitted by a member of the clergy, a counselor or someone who is very high ranking within the jail.
Jail management understands that a sudden death of a loved one could cause a violent emotional response that jeopardizes the safety of staff or other inmates.
An inmate’s family member just died; will they be allowed to attend the funeral?
The death of a family member is one of the few times, if not the only time, that a jail will allow an inmate, whether it pre-trial or post-conviction, to be allowed outside of the jail. Even if they are allowed outside the jail, they will have to have at least two armed escorts. An inmate attending a funeral is an extraordinary cost, use of staff and potential danger to the public. That is why it is rarely allowed.
This is not always the case though, and whether an inmate can attend a funeral depends on the inmate’s security classification, whether the jail has the staff to handle it, official jail policy, whether or not the inmate has an attorney that can push the right people, including the judge overseeing the inmate’s case, etc.
What determines whether an inmate is placed in low or high security facilities?
An inmate’s security classification depends on the following:
1. The inmate’s current crime.
2. The inmate previous crimes.
3. The inmate’s history for violence within the walls of the facility.
4. The inmate’s gang affiliation.
5. The jail's current distribution of inmates.
What information is available about an inmate?
The information that a jail or court releases publicly about an inmate depends on the laws in the state, the policy of the jail, and the sheriff’s or warden’s individual decision.
Jail booking records and rosters can include more or less, the following information:
• Full name of the inmate
• Inmate's physical characteristics (age, sex, height, weight, etc.)
• Inmate’s mugshot(s)
• Booking number, Inmate ID#, Jacket #, etc.
• Booking date and time
• Charges or offense details – the applicable statute
• Bond or bail amount, if applicable
• Court date, if set, plus the court name and location
• Previous arrests in this jurisdiction, conviction details, and sentence
What is vinelink.com?
Vinelink, which you will see referenced when discussing public information about offenders and inmates, is a national public roster that both allows the public to look up and see the person’s status, plus be able to track their movements, whether it involves being transferred from one facility to another or being released from custody.
The tracking feature is especially helpful for those who are victims of, or witnesses to, a crime and fear that the release of an offender may be dangerous to them or someone close to them.
Anyone can register with Vine to receive automated notifications via email, text or phone. It is available in 48 states and 2,900 jails and prisons.
Here is a short video explaining why it started and how it works.
How do I find old Charleston County jail and inmate records from years ago?
To find jail records that go back many years really depends on how far you want to go back, however you would need to send a written request to the county sheriff as follows:
Charleston County Sheriff
Att: Jail Records
3841 Leeds Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405
Let them know the inmate’s name, any aliases, date of birth, the date range that the inmate may have been incarcerated, the crime they were charged with/convicted of, and any other helpful information you can think of.
How can I have my jail record sealed?
To have your jail records sealed, you will have to have the crime you were convicted of expunged. You should know up front that not all crimes are eligible for expungement.
1. Hire a lawyer that specializes in expungement.
2. If your crime is eligible, they will contact the District Attorney's office in the judicial district where you were charged or convicted.
3. They will file a petition with the court where you were charged or convicted.
4. The entire process may take 1-2 years.
Where can I get Prison records from the state of South Carolina?
To get prison records from the state of South Carolina, you will need to send a written request to the state prison system in South Carolina.
Let them know the inmate’s name, any aliases, date of birth, the date range that the inmate may have been incarcerated, the crime they were charged with/convicted of, the name of the facility you believe they were incarcerated in, plus any other helpful information you can think of.
In South Carolina, Victim Services must schedule all bond hearings, guilty pleas, and other proceedings for defendants at the County Detention Center when there is a victim of a crime involved in the case.
South Carolina law requires that all victims must be notified of all scheduled hearings for a defendant and be given the opportunity to attend those hearings.