Williamsburg County Detention Center Criminal Court Process

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Williamsburg County

Criminal Court Process for Williamsburg County South Carolina

Kingstree, on the Black River, is the county seat of Williamsburg County, a large and mostly rural Pee Dee county known for tobacco and timber. Magistrates in Kingstree and Hemingway, together with four town courts, handle lesser charges and bond hearings, and felonies are tried in the Court of General Sessions at the Williamsburg County Courthouse on West Main Street. Williamsburg is one of four counties in the Third Judicial Circuit, alongside Clarendon, Lee and Sumter, and General Sessions prosecutions are brought by the circuit's elected Solicitor. Anyone arrested as an adult is taken to the Williamsburg County Detention Center in Kingstree.

  • Williamsburg County Clerk of Court, Williamsburg County Courthouse, 125 West Main Street, Kingstree, SC 29556, (843) 355-9321
  • Williamsburg County Magistrate Court, Kingstree Central Office, 209 Short Street, Kingstree, SC 29556, (843) 355-9565
  • Third Circuit Solicitor's Office, which prosecutes Williamsburg County General Sessions and juvenile cases
  • Third Circuit Public Defender, Williamsburg County office, (843) 355-9321
  • Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office, 200 South Jackson Street, Kingstree, SC 29556, (843) 355-6381
  • Williamsburg County Detention Center, Kingstree, SC 29556, (843) 355-9696

Which court hears your case. Charges limited to 30 days in jail or a $500 fine are tried in Williamsburg County Magistrate Court, as are first-offense DUI, shoplifting worth $2,000 or less and the occasional statute that allows a summary-court fine of up to $1,000. Magistrates in Kingstree and at the Hemingway satellite office also issue warrants, decide release at bond hearings and hold preliminary hearings for felony charges. Arrests made by town police inside Kingstree, Hemingway, Greeleyville or Lane can be heard by that town's Municipal Court, which tries the same level of state charge plus town ordinance violations. The Court of General Sessions, meaning the Circuit Court on its criminal side, takes everything more serious once a Williamsburg County grand jury returns an indictment.

Where pretrial inmates are held. The Sheriff's Office operates the county detention center in Kingstree, and arrests by deputies, town police and the Highway Patrol are booked there. People who are not released after the bond hearing remain in the jail while their cases are pending, alongside some who are serving short sentences. For inmate status or release information, call the detention center at (843) 355-9696; the Sheriff's main office on South Jackson Street answers at (843) 355-6381.

Local courts in Williamsburg County (magistrate and municipal courts)

Williamsburg County spreads across more than 900 square miles, so its magistrates keep a central office in Kingstree and a satellite office in the eastern part of the county at Hemingway. Bond hearings for people held at the detention center are handled by the county magistrates. Four towns operate municipal courts.

Magistrate courts (county)

  • Kingstree Central Office — 209 Short Street, Kingstree, SC 29556, (843) 355-9565
  • Hemingway Satellite Office — Chavis One-Stop Complex, 2811 South State Highway 41-51, Hemingway, SC 29554, (843) 558-4145

Between them, the two offices cover the unincorporated county, including communities like Cades, Salters, Indiantown, Trio and Nesmith, for criminal and traffic cases, warrants, preliminary hearings and civil claims.

Municipal courts

  • Kingstree Municipal Court — 401 North Longstreet Street, Kingstree, SC 29556, (843) 355-7484
  • Hemingway Municipal Court — 110 South Main Street, Hemingway, SC 29554 (mailing P.O. Box 968), (843) 558-2424
  • Greeleyville Municipal Court — Greeleyville, SC 29056 (mailing P.O. Box 212), (843) 426-2111
  • Lane Municipal Court — Lane Town Hall, 345 South Lane Road, Lane, SC 29564, (843) 387-5151

Town courts in Greeleyville and Lane hold sessions only on set days, so phone ahead. Decisions of any Williamsburg County magistrate or municipal judge may be appealed to the Circuit Court; the notice is ordinarily due within 10 days after sentencing.

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Misdemeanor (for example, shoplifting, a first DUI, third-degree assault and battery, trespassing)

Summary offenses in Williamsburg County are usually decided in Kingstree, at the Hemingway magistrate office, or in one of the town courts. Plenty of these cases begin with a ticket and no arrest. Someone taken into custody, as often happens with DUI or domestic calls, is driven to the Williamsburg County Detention Center in Kingstree for booking.

First appearance and release

State law gives the magistrate 24 hours to conduct a bond hearing. Options include release on one's own recognizance, a cash deposit, a surety bond arranged through a licensed bondsman, or a property bond. For alleged domestic violence, the judge commonly orders no contact, and the victim is informed and can be heard.

Trial and representation

In Williamsburg's summary courts, officers commonly present their own cases, with the Solicitor's office sometimes handling DUI and domestic violence prosecutions. Defendants may choose a bench trial or a jury of six. The Third Circuit Public Defender serves Williamsburg County and can be reached at (843) 355-9321; the application carries a $40 fee that may be waived.

Penalties

  • Shoplifting valued at $2,000 or less: a magistrate or town judge may impose a fine or as long as 30 days.
  • Third-degree assault and battery: 30 days and $500 are the upper limits.
  • Trespass, first offense: a fine capped at $200 or a jail term capped at 30 days.
  • First DUI: a reading under .10 brings 48 hours to 30 days in jail, which may be served instead as 48 hours of public service, with a $400 base fine plus assessments. Those numbers rise at .10 to under .16 and again at .16 and above. A six-month suspension applies (ignition interlock can shorten the time off the road), and the driver must finish ADSAP. Refusing the breath test is penalized by an administrative suspension.

Williamsburg misdemeanors often close with a dismissal, a fine, a suspended sentence, conditional discharge or a diversion program such as PTI or alcohol education. Records of dismissed or diverted charges can frequently be expunged. Most cases end within one to three months.

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Felony (for example, burglary, grand larceny, drug distribution, first-degree assault and battery)

When a felony arrest happens in Williamsburg County, the person is booked at the Williamsburg County Detention Center and brought before a magistrate within 24 hours. The magistrate sets bond in most felony cases and can add conditions such as house arrest, electronic monitoring or orders to stay away from witnesses. Newer state laws require tighter scrutiny when the defendant was already on release for a violent charge.

The road to General Sessions

  • Preliminary hearing: the defense must ask within 10 days of the bond hearing. A magistrate hears the officer's testimony and decides whether there is probable cause to send the case forward.
  • Grand jury: the Third Circuit Solicitor presents the case to the Williamsburg County grand jury, which decides whether to indict.
  • Court terms: circuit judges hold General Sessions in Kingstree on a rotating schedule, and indicted cases are called from the roster.
  • Resolution: most defendants accept a plea agreement; those who go to trial face a 12-member jury that must reach a unanimous verdict.

Penalties for common felonies

  • Burglary: second degree is capped at 10 years, or 15 when charged as violent; first degree carries 15 years to life.
  • Grand larceny: up to 5 years for more than $2,000 but less than $10,000, and up to 10 years once the value hits $10,000.
  • Drug distribution: penalties are tied to the drug involved, the amount and the number of prior offenses, and trafficking weights come with mandatory minimum terms.
  • Assault and battery, first degree: up to 10 years. The aggravated charge, ABHAN, allows a sentence of up to 20.

Felony classes in South Carolina run from A (30 years maximum) to F (5 years maximum), and some offenses have penalties written into their own statutes. "No parole" offenses require 85 percent of the sentence to be served, and most prison sentences are served in the state Department of Corrections. Pretrial intervention through the Solicitor remains an option for many first offenders charged with nonviolent felonies.

Eligible defendants can get a lawyer from the Third Circuit Public Defender, (843) 355-9321. Williamsburg County felony cases generally take one to two years to be resolved.

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Violent felony (for example, murder, criminal sexual conduct, armed robbery)

In Williamsburg County, only a circuit judge may set bond for murder, armed robbery, first-degree criminal sexual conduct and certain other violent crimes. Until that hearing, which can take days to schedule, the defendant is held at the Williamsburg County Detention Center. A circuit judge who grants release often requires GPS monitoring and no contact with the victim's family.

  • Murder: not less than 30 years and up to life; the death penalty is possible if the Solicitor gives notice and an aggravating circumstance is proven. Executions resumed in South Carolina in 2024.
  • Criminal sexual conduct in the first degree: up to 30 years, plus mandatory sex-offender registration.
  • Armed robbery: 10 years minimum, 30 years maximum.

Violent offenses fall into the "most serious" and "serious" categories of the state's habitual-offender law, and repeat convictions can result in life imprisonment without parole. The Victims' Bill of Rights in the South Carolina Constitution guarantees victims notice of court events and a chance to speak, and the Third Circuit Solicitor's victim advocates keep them informed. A violent felony case in Williamsburg County can take two to three years or more to reach trial or plea.

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Juveniles (under 18) arrested in Williamsburg County

Juvenile delinquency cases from Williamsburg County are heard by the Family Court in Kingstree. South Carolina's 2019 "raise the age" change means 17-year-olds generally start in Family Court as well, with exceptions for some serious offenses.

Intake and the Solicitor

After an arrest or referral, the state Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) office serving Williamsburg County conducts intake, talks with the youth and family, and passes a recommendation to the Third Circuit Solicitor. The Solicitor then chooses whether to file a petition, send the youth to juvenile arbitration or another diversion program, or drop the matter.

Secure detention

The county has no juvenile detention facility. A young person who cannot safely go home is typically placed at the DJJ Juvenile Detention Center in Columbia, a drive of roughly 80 miles. The youth then gets a Family Court detention hearing, which by law comes within 48 hours, leaving out weekends and holidays.

Outcomes

  • For first or minor cases: arbitration, diversion or dismissal.
  • Probation with conditions, community service, counseling or restitution.
  • Assessment at a DJJ evaluation center before disposition.
  • Indeterminate commitment to DJJ, ending no later than the youth's 21st birthday.
  • Waiver to adult court in General Sessions, after a hearing, for older teens (generally 14 and up) charged with serious felonies.

Juveniles are entitled to a lawyer; the Third Circuit Public Defender, (843) 355-9321, represents those who qualify. Juvenile proceedings are generally closed, and many records can be expunged.

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Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Williamsburg County

Williamsburg County belongs to the Florence Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, a Pee Dee division that also takes in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Horry, Marion and Marlboro counties. Federal criminal cases from Kingstree, Hemingway and the rest of the county are heard about 40 miles north in Florence, where the court, the prosecutors and the federal defenders share one building.

  • J.L. McMillan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 401 West Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501; Clerk's Office (843) 676-3820
  • U.S. Attorney's Office, Florence, McMillan Federal Building, 401 West Evans Street, Room 222, Florence, SC 29501, (843) 665-6688
  • Federal Public Defender, Florence, 401 West Evans Street, Room 221, Florence, SC 29501, (843) 662-1510

A Williamsburg County matter turns into a federal prosecution when the conduct is a federal crime and the U.S. Attorney files charges, usually after an investigation by agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or Homeland Security Investigations. In rural Pee Dee counties these cases often involve drug distribution networks, firearms offenses by people barred from having guns, fraud against federal farm, disaster or benefit programs, and child exploitation.

The case moves through a series of steps after the arrest. The defendant first appears before a U.S. magistrate judge in Florence, who appoints the Federal Public Defender or a Criminal Justice Act attorney for a person who cannot pay. Federal judges do not use bail bondsmen; under the Bail Reform Act, the magistrate judge decides between release on conditions supervised by U.S. Pretrial Services and detention, with a detention hearing usually within three court days of a government request. Within 30 days of an arrest on a complaint, the government must obtain a grand jury indictment, after which the Speedy Trial Act's 70-day trial clock begins, often paused by continuances.

Nearly every case ends with a guilty plea. At trial, 12 jurors must vote unanimously. Sentencing follows a presentence investigation by U.S. Probation, with the judge applying the advisory Guidelines range and any statutory mandatory minimum. Because federal parole has been abolished, a sentence is served in the Bureau of Prisons, about 85 percent of it with good-conduct credit, and then supervised release begins. Appeals go to the Fourth Circuit.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator lets relatives search by name or register number. Defendants waiting for trial are often placed in a county jail that houses prisoners for the U.S. Marshals, and such a person may be listed on that jail's own roster too. Juveniles are very seldom charged in federal court.

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This Williamsburg County guide is general information about the criminal court process, not legal advice, and court schedules and contacts may change. Anyone charged in Williamsburg County should consult a criminal defense attorney or contact the Third Circuit Public Defender for Williamsburg County at (843) 355-9321, and confirm all court dates with the Clerk of Court.

Criminal Court Process for Williamsburg County South Carolina

Williamsburg County South Carolina Criminal Court System – Definitions

It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the South Carolina Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.

If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Williamsburg County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.

Arrest is when South Carolina, Williamsburg County or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed. 

In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Williamsburg County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.

Booking is when the Williamsburg County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation, and verification of identity. Bail for lower-level crimes may be set right after booking so the arrested can “bail or bond out” before being detained.

The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that presses the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of South Carolina, Williamsburg County or a city or town.  The prosecuting attorney for Williamsburg County or the district is called the Solicitor.  A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.  

Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case.  For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case.  If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime.  

Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.

Arraignment is when a judge determines whether the charges are supported by the prosecution’s initial evidence and tells the arrested what they are charged with, and the person says whether they are guilty or not guilty. At this time, the person is called the defendant, and the opposing side is called the prosecution. If there is reason to believe that the arrested is guilty, the judge will set bail conditions or send the defendant to jail or release them ROR (release on recognizances). An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.

Bail is money paid that is held by the Williamsburg County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment. Once the case is over, the bail money is returned to the defendant. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in the Williamsburg County Jail until their trial.  

Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.

A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens at the same time as an arraignment. During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. A judge or court officer in the {county extended} or municipal court sets bail. Judges in South Carolina rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.

A judicial public bond or personal recognizance bond is a bond where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the money if the defendant does not show up to court. If the defendant does not show, the full amount will be due and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court.  Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance.  

Cash percentage in lieu of bonds.  If the bond order permits, the defendant pays a percentage of the amount, (usually 10%) to the court, which then holds the money until the case is over. The amount is returned if the defendant is acquitted or the case is dismissed, or it can be used toward paying any court fines incurred by the defendant.

Surety Bond is when defendant pays a percentage of the bond amount (usually 10%) to a professional bondsman or bail bond company licensed to do business in South Carolina, {county extended}. The bondsman then signs the bond on behalf of the defendant. The defendant does not receive any of the money back. If the bondsman feels the defendant is a flight risk, they can refuse to give a bond or charge a higher fee. For example, a bondsman may determine a defendant is a flight risk if they are from a state other than South Carolina.

A Property Bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).  Usually, the property must be in Williamsburg County, and it must be worth at least the amount of the bond.

Transfer bond which is transferable across state lines but generally a bond company will only assume the loan to adjoining states.

It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested.  Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf (not all bond companies will accept collect calls), but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.  

(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 bondsman will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)

A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest.

If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases, and certain appeal cases.

South Carolina indigent services are supported by 50% of state money and 50% by the local governments. Municipal courts must provide their own funding for indigent representation as the state does not fund these courts.  Find further information about the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense at this website.

For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court or expunge their record which means to legally erase or eliminate a criminal or arrest record from public view. . The attached link has a list of pro bono organizations in South Carolina.

Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se.  Here is a link for legal self-help in South Carolina.

A district court can refer to the first level of the legal system, or a minor court. District courts are in the community.  A district court can also refer to a U.S. Federal District Court that hears federal cases. There is one U.S. federal district court in South Carolina, with offices throughout the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.

Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered.  This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.

Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings.  A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment.  The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty.  There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of a more serious criminal related to the crime.  

Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial.  If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial.  If the defendant is found not guilty, they are released.  If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.

Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.

Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court.  If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.

South Carolina Felony vs Misdemeanor

A misdemeanor crime in South Carolina is a crime that has a penalty such as fines, probation, community service or up to one year in a county jail.  Common misdemeanor offenses include petty theft, simple assault, trespassing, some drug offenses or harassment. Misdemeanors in South Carolina are classified as:

  • Class A: up to 3 years in jail,
  • Class B: up to 2 years in jail, and
  • Class C: up to one year in jail.  
  • Unclassified misdemeanors are for any other crime with punishment of less than one year in jail.

A felony crime in South Carolina is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and can be punished with more significant fines and jail time.  Felony crimes can be murder, rape, theft,
aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping and identity theft.

Felonies in South Carolina are classified from:

  • Class A: up to 30 years in state prison,
  • Class B: up to 25 years in state prison,
  • Class C: up to 20 years in state prison,
  • Class D: up to 15 years in state prison,
  • Class E: up to 10 years in state prison,
  • Class F: up to five years in state prison.
  • Violent crimes and murder are not classified felonies and can be punished by up to life in prison or the death penalty.

The Williamsburg County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.

A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement.  There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime. 

A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date.  It does not involve an arrest.  A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.

A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.

Fines are usually paid to the District Court or clerk of court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or Williamsburg County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, must pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest.  It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket. 

South Carolina Criminal Court System - How it Works

In South Carolina, an arrested person would most likely be brought to a magistrate court or municipal court for arraignment, also called summary courts. Prosecution of misdemeanor traffic and some criminal violations in the summary courts may be made by the arresting officer.  Summary courts can conduct trials for traffic violations, domestic violence and third offense driving under suspension and forgery. If the arrested is detained, it will be in a local county jail or detention center.  

The magistrate courts conduct arraignments, set bail, conduct preliminary hearings and issue arrest and search warrants.  The magistrate court can hold trial for criminal cases where there is a penalty or fine of $500 or less or imprisonment of 30 days or less or both fine and imprisonment. Magistrate judges may hear criminal cases transferred from General Sessions Court if the penalty does not exceed one year imprisonment or a fine of $5,500, or both.  A magistrate court judge in South Carolina does not have to be an attorney.

Municipal court in South Carolina hears only criminal cases within its jurisdiction.  In some counties, a municipality (town) might not have its own municipal court and decide to use the magistrate court instead and some might use the magistrate judge to serve at the municipal court.

Municipal courts can conduct trials on cases where local city or town laws are broken and if the maximum punishment would be 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.  Like the magistrate court, if the defendant agrees, the General Sessions Court Solicitor can transfer a case to municipal court if the penalty does not exceed one year in jail and/or a fine of $5500.

Circuit courts are divided into the Court of Common Pleas for civil matters and the Court of General Sessions for criminal cases.

The Court of General Sessions can prosecute and hold trials for misdemeanor and felony cases. The Court of General Sessions can hear appeals from the magistrate and municipal courts. This court does not conduct arraignments but will try cases that were arraigned and referred from the magistrate and municipal courts.  

The Family Court handles all juvenile cases for individuals over the age of 17.  If the offense of the minor is a traffic or boating related offense, the case might be shared with the municipal or magistrate courts. The following website provide more information on juvenile services.

Which court to attend in South Carolina can be confusing.  It is always recommended to check the arresting officer, attorney or solicitor’s office for instructions of when and where to appear in court.

The South Carolina Supreme Court is like our United States’ Supreme Court because it has a panel of judges that rule on matters that have to do with someone’s constitutional rights or policies and laws. The South Carolina State Supreme Court deals with the state constitution or laws or policies. Sometimes the Supreme Court will hear criminal cases on appeal when there is a question on the state laws or procedures that lead to the appeal.  

The criminal cases are usually referred from the district courts of appeal.

Specialty courts or problem-solving courts are being adopted in many states to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances. Most South Carolina courts provide Treatment and/or Drug Courts.

FEDERAL COURT

Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws.  Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.  

Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime. 

There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the South Carolina state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).  

Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.

There is one U.S. Federal Judicial District in South Carolina.

Courts

GREELEYVILLE TRAFFIC COURT
3 TOBY PL
GREELEYVILLE SC, 29056
843-426-2270
WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY CIRCUIT
125 W MAIN ST # 101
KINGSTREE SC, 29556
843-355-9321

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Williamsburg County

Human-verified information Manually curated

Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.