Charleston County DUI Records
Charleston County DUI records are available through the Clerk of Court, Magistrate Courts, and online via the South Carolina Public Index. Charleston County is one of South Carolina's most populous counties and part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. DUI cases from Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and surrounding communities all flow through this court system. This guide explains how to find, access, and understand DUI records in Charleston County, South Carolina.
Charleston County Quick Facts
Charleston County DUI Records at the Clerk of Court
The Charleston County Clerk of Court is the main keeper of DUI records for the Court of General Sessions and Court of Common Pleas. Charleston County processes one of the highest volumes of DUI cases in South Carolina. The Clerk's office maintains case files, dockets, sentencing orders, and final dispositions for all felony and circuit-level DUI cases. Felony DUI charges under S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2945 involving great bodily injury or death go through General Sessions.
The Clerk of Court office is accessible through the Charleston County Government website at charlestoncounty.org. Public access terminals at the courthouse allow in-person case searches. Certified copies are available for a fee. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. The Clerk of Court handles a large caseload, so calling ahead or using the online Public Index before visiting is recommended.
Visit charlestoncounty.org to access department contacts for the Clerk of Court, Sheriff's Office, and other agencies that hold DUI-related records in Charleston County.
Charleston County Clerk of Court Direct Access
The Charleston County Clerk of Court department page provides direct links to court services, including records access and copy request procedures. The Clerk's office handles a wide range of DUI-related documents for both felony and non-felony cases that pass through the circuit courts.
For certified copies of Charleston County DUI records or detailed case file review, visit the Clerk of Court department at charlestoncounty.org/departments/clerk-of-court/. Staff handle requests for case documents, docket histories, and dispositions for DUI cases across all court levels in Charleston County.
Note: The Clerk of Court office in Charleston County is located at the courthouse and serves the entire county including all incorporated cities and unincorporated communities.
Search Charleston County DUI Records Online
The South Carolina Public Index is the primary tool for online DUI record searches in Charleston County. Go to publicindex.sccourts.org/charleston/ and search by defendant name, case number, or date range. The system shows charges, court dates, attorney information, and case dispositions. Searches are free and available at any time.
The SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org provides the Public Index along with court forms, self-help resources, and county court contact information. Charleston County has one of the most active DUI dockets in the state, so online access is a practical first step before visiting in person.
Online results show case-level information only. For actual documents, orders, or transcripts from Charleston County DUI cases, you must request copies from the Clerk of Court. The Public Index is updated regularly but may not reflect same-day case activity.
DUI Arrest Records and Municipal Courts in Charleston County
The Charleston County Sheriff's Office handles DUI enforcement throughout unincorporated Charleston County. The Sheriff's Records Division processes public records requests for DUI arrest reports and incident files. Find contact information at charlestoncounty.org/departments/sheriff/. Arrest records show the charge, arresting officer, date, and booking details but are separate from court case records.
The City of Charleston Municipal Court at charleston-sc.gov handles DUI cases occurring within city limits. Charleston is a busy urban area with a significant number of DUI stops each year. The municipal court processes arrests, hearings, and dispositions for DUI cases within the city. These records may be searched through the Public Index or by contacting the municipal court directly.
The City of North Charleston Municipal Court at northcharleston.org handles DUI cases within North Charleston city limits. North Charleston is one of South Carolina's largest cities, and the municipal court there handles a high volume of DUI cases. Records from North Charleston DUI cases are part of the broader Charleston County court record system.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division at sled.sc.gov maintains statewide criminal history records including DUI convictions from Charleston County. A SLED background check covers the entire state and is the most thorough way to check for DUI convictions across all South Carolina counties.
Ninth Circuit Solicitor and Felony DUI in Charleston County
The Ninth Circuit Solicitor's Office prosecutes felony DUI cases in Charleston County. The Solicitor handles DUI cases involving great bodily injury or death under § 56-5-2945. Sentences for these serious DUI offenses can reach 15 years for great bodily injury and 25 years for death. The Solicitor also reviews repeat DUI cases for potential felony indictment. Find information about the Ninth Circuit Solicitor's Office at 9thsolicitor.com.
Felony DUI cases in Charleston County move from arrest to grand jury indictment and then to the Court of General Sessions. At that point, the Charleston County Clerk of Court maintains the official case record. The Public Index reflects the General Sessions docket and is updated as cases proceed through the court system.
South Carolina DUI Law and Charleston County Cases
All DUI cases in Charleston County are prosecuted under South Carolina law. The base DUI offense under § 56-5-2930 covers driving while materially and appreciably impaired. The DUAC statute under § 56-5-2933 covers cases where a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or above is proven by chemical test. Both types of charges appear in Charleston County DUI records.
The ignition interlock device requirement under § 56-5-2941 applies to most DUI convictions in Charleston County. First offenses require six months on an interlock device. Second offenses require two years, and third offenses require three years. Fourth and subsequent convictions may result in a lifetime interlock requirement. These conditions are reflected in the court record and enforced by the South Carolina DMV.
The following are types of DUI-related charges that appear in Charleston County records:
- DUI under § 56-5-2930 (impaired driving)
- DUAC under § 56-5-2933 (0.08%+ BAC)
- Felony DUI with great bodily injury under § 56-5-2945
- Felony DUI causing death under § 56-5-2945
- Implied consent refusal under § 56-5-2950
License suspension records for Charleston County DUI cases are maintained by the South Carolina DMV at dmv.sc.gov. The ADSAP program is required for license reinstatement after any DUI suspension under § 56-5-2990. DMV records and court records are separate, and both may be needed to get the full picture of a DUI case in Charleston County.
Cities in Charleston County
Charleston County includes several cities and communities. DUI cases from across the county are handled through the Charleston County court system and local municipal courts.
Nearby Counties
Charleston County borders several other South Carolina counties. The location of the DUI arrest determines which county's court holds the records.