Chesterfield County DUI Records
Chesterfield County DUI records are maintained by the Clerk of Court and the Magistrate Court in Chesterfield, South Carolina. The county sits in the Pee Dee region and is part of the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Anyone can search for DUI records filed in Chesterfield County through the South Carolina Public Index or by visiting the courthouse in person. These records cover driving under the influence arrests, court case dispositions, and related criminal filings in Chesterfield County.
Chesterfield County Quick Facts
Chesterfield County DUI Records and Courts
The Chesterfield County Clerk of Court handles DUI records filed in the Court of General Sessions and the Court of Common Pleas. General Sessions handles felony DUI charges. The Magistrate Court handles misdemeanor DUI cases and preliminary hearings. Both courts keep records that are accessible to the public in Chesterfield County.
The Chesterfield County Government website provides contact details for the courthouse and county offices. The county seat is the town of Chesterfield, where the main courthouse is located. DUI enforcement in Chesterfield County is carried out by the Sheriff's Office, local police, and South Carolina Highway Patrol. Each arrest that leads to a court filing creates a record in the Chesterfield County court system.
The Fourth Circuit Solicitor's Office prosecutes felony DUI cases in Chesterfield County. Felony DUI charges arise when a DUI causes death or great bodily injury under S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2945. These cases go through General Sessions Court and create records that remain part of the public file in Chesterfield County.
The Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office provides DUI enforcement across the county. Officers document arrests and forward case files to the Solicitor's Office and Clerk of Court. Those records become the foundation for DUI case filings in Chesterfield County.
Note: The Chesterfield County Magistrate Court handles first-offense misdemeanor DUI cases and sets bond hearings for DUI defendants in the county.
How to Find DUI Records in Chesterfield County
The South Carolina Public Index is the primary online tool for searching DUI records in Chesterfield County. Go to publicindex.sccourts.org/chesterfield/ to search by name or case number. The system shows case status, hearing dates, and charges for DUI cases filed in Chesterfield County. Basic searches are free. You do not need an account to search the Public Index.
To search Chesterfield County DUI records online, you will need one of the following:
- Full name of the person charged
- Case number assigned by the court
- Approximate date of the arrest or filing
- Court type, such as General Sessions or Magistrate
For records not available online, visit the Clerk of Court office at the Chesterfield County Courthouse in Chesterfield. Staff can search by name and provide case documents. Bring a valid photo ID. Copies of DUI court records are available for a per-page fee set by the state. Certified copies cost more and take longer to process in Chesterfield County.
Driving record information connected to DUI cases is held separately by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. The SCDMV maintains suspension and revocation records for DUI convictions across South Carolina, including Chesterfield County. You can request a driving history through the DMV to see license actions tied to a DUI.
Note: SLED criminal background checks may also include DUI conviction data for Chesterfield County residents. Visit sled.sc.gov for details on criminal record requests.
South Carolina DUI Laws That Apply in Chesterfield County
South Carolina DUI law is set by the state and applies in every county, including Chesterfield. The main DUI statute is S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930. This law makes it a crime to drive while materially and appreciably impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination. A first DUI offense is a misdemeanor in Chesterfield County.
A separate charge called DUAC, or Driving with an Unlawful Alcohol Concentration, appears under S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2933. DUAC applies when a driver's blood alcohol content is at or above 0.08%. A person can be charged with DUAC even if their driving did not appear impaired. Both DUI and DUAC records are filed in Chesterfield County courts and appear in the Public Index.
The implied consent law at S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2950 requires drivers in South Carolina to submit to chemical testing when lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusing a breath or blood test in Chesterfield County results in a six-month license suspension for a first refusal. That suspension is an administrative action separate from the criminal case and is handled by the SCDMV.
Note: South Carolina law at § 56-5-2945 makes felony DUI punishable by up to 30 years in prison when it causes the death of another person. Chesterfield County felony DUI cases are prosecuted by the Fourth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Chesterfield County Government and DUI Records
The official source for Chesterfield County DUI records and court information is the Chesterfield County Government website. The site provides contact information for the Clerk of Court, Sheriff's Office, and other county departments involved in DUI enforcement and record-keeping.
The Chesterfield County Government website is the starting point for locating court addresses, phone numbers, and hours. Staff at the Clerk of Court can assist with requests for DUI records filed in Chesterfield County court.
License Suspension and DUI Consequences in Chesterfield County
A DUI conviction in Chesterfield County triggers several consequences beyond the criminal case. The SCDMV suspends the driver's license under S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2990. Suspension length depends on the number of prior DUI convictions. A first offense brings a six-month suspension. Repeat offenses carry longer suspensions and more conditions for reinstatement.
South Carolina's ignition interlock device law at S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2941 requires many DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device before their license is restored. This device prevents the car from starting if the driver has alcohol on their breath. The requirement applies to a wide range of DUI offenders in South Carolina, including those convicted in Chesterfield County.
Drivers seeking reinstatement after a Chesterfield County DUI conviction must complete the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, known as ADSAP. Completion of ADSAP is a condition of getting a South Carolina license back after a DUI suspension. The program involves assessment, education, and treatment referral as needed.
SLED and SCDMV DUI Records for Chesterfield County
Two state agencies maintain DUI-related records for Chesterfield County residents. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, known as SLED, keeps criminal history records that include DUI convictions. SLED records are used for background checks and can be accessed at sled.sc.gov. Individuals can request their own SLED record. Third parties may also request records under certain conditions.
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles maintains driving history records that show DUI-related license actions. You can request a driving record at dmv.sc.gov. A full driving history will show suspensions, restrictions, and any DUI-related notations for a Chesterfield County driver. Both SLED and SCDMV records complement the court records available through the Public Index and Clerk of Court in Chesterfield County.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org provides access to court information statewide. The site links to the Public Index and gives details on how courts handle DUI cases across all 46 counties, including Chesterfield County.
Cities in Chesterfield County
Chesterfield County includes several towns and communities. DUI cases from across the county are filed at the Chesterfield County Clerk of Court. See all South Carolina cities with DUI records on the Cities page.
Nearby Counties
Chesterfield County borders several other South Carolina counties in the Pee Dee region. If you are unsure which county court handles a DUI case, check the location where the arrest occurred.