Find Florence County DUI Records
Florence County DUI records are held by the Clerk of Court in Florence, South Carolina. The county is part of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit in the Pee Dee region of the state. DUI records cover criminal charges, court case filings, arrest documents, and related court orders. Residents and researchers can look up these records online using the SC Public Index or by contacting the Clerk of Court directly. This page covers the key offices, search methods, and rules that apply to DUI records in Florence County.
Florence County Quick Facts
Florence County Clerk of Court
The Florence County Clerk of Court is located at the Florence County Courthouse at 181 North Irby Street in Florence. This office maintains all records for the Court of General Sessions and Court of Common Pleas. For DUI cases, the Clerk holds case files including indictments, warrants, court minutes, sentencing orders, and bond records. Staff can be reached at (843) 665-3031 or by email at clerkofcourt@florenceco.org.
Florence County government provides services through the main county website at florenceco.org. The Clerk of Court is one of several departments operating out of the Florence County Courthouse. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-in visits are accepted, and mail requests can be sent to the same address at 181 North Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501.
The Florence County government website offers general information on county departments, court services, and public record access for residents of the Pee Dee region.
The Florence County government website connects residents with the Clerk of Court, Sheriff's Office, and other agencies involved in maintaining DUI records across the county.
| Office |
Florence County Clerk of Court 181 North Irby Street Florence, SC 29501 Phone: (843) 665-3031 Email: clerkofcourt@florenceco.org |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | florenceco.org |
How to Search Florence County DUI Records
The SC Public Index provides free online access to Florence County court records. Go to publicindex.sccourts.org/florence/ to begin a search. You can look up cases by defendant name or case number. The system is maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org. Basic case details, charges, and hearing dates are visible without any cost.
For full document copies, visit the Clerk of Court at the Florence County Courthouse. Bring valid photo ID. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document, and search fees may apply for large requests. You can also make requests by mail. Send written requests to Clerk of Court, 181 North Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501.
Florence County has multiple Magistrate Courts that handle misdemeanor DUI cases locally. The Florence Magistrate Court number is (843) 665-3090 and the Lake City Magistrate Court is (843) 394-2261. Contact these courts directly if you are looking for records from lower-level DUI proceedings in Florence County.
Note: Copies of case documents and certified records require a small fee at the Florence County Clerk of Court, and extensive record searches may incur additional costs under state guidelines.
Florence Municipal Court DUI Records
The City of Florence maintains its own Municipal Court for DUI cases that occur within city limits. The Municipal Court is located at 329 West Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29501. The court handles DUI and traffic cases for the City of Florence. You can reach the Municipal Court at (843) 665-3135.
Municipal Court records in Florence may not always appear in the SC Public Index, which focuses primarily on General Sessions and Common Pleas records. For city-level DUI cases, contacting the Municipal Court directly is the best approach. The City of Florence official website at cityofflorence.com has additional contact and service information for residents who need to access Municipal Court records.
The City of Florence official website provides access to city department contacts including the Municipal Court, which handles DUI cases filed within city boundaries in Florence County.
South Carolina DUI Law in Florence County
South Carolina defines DUI under § 56-5-2930. A first DUI offense is a misdemeanor. Higher BAC levels or prior offenses increase the penalties significantly. Florence County Magistrate Court handles first-time misdemeanor cases while the Court of General Sessions handles serious and repeat DUI charges.
The DUAC statute under § 56-5-2933 covers situations where blood alcohol is at or above 0.08%. This charge can be filed as an alternative to or alongside a DUI charge in Florence County. Both result in court records accessible through the Public Index or the Clerk of Court. The Twelfth Circuit Solicitor's Office prosecutes felony DUI cases originating in Florence County.
Felony DUI under § 56-5-2945 applies when a DUI causes great bodily injury or death. These are the most serious DUI records filed in Florence County. Penalties can reach 30 years in prison. All felony DUI records are maintained by the Florence County Clerk of Court and are part of the public record unless sealed by a court order.
The full text of DUI statutes for South Carolina is available at scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c005.php. Reviewing these statutes helps you understand the charges listed in a Florence County DUI record.
Florence County Sheriff and DUI Enforcement
The Florence County Sheriff's Office is located at 6719 Friendfield Road in Effingham. The main phone is (843) 665-2121 and the records line is (843) 665-3186. The Sheriff's Office handles DUI enforcement across unincorporated Florence County and maintains arrest records related to DUI cases. These arrest records are separate from court case files but often connect to the same DUI event.
After a DUI arrest in Florence County, the SCDMV handles license suspensions and reinstatement requirements. Check your driving record or request a copy at dmv.sc.gov. A DUI conviction in Florence County can remain on your South Carolina driving record for years. The SCDMV also tracks compliance with the ignition interlock requirement under § 56-5-2941.
Implied consent laws under § 56-5-2950 apply to every driver stopped in Florence County on suspicion of DUI. Refusing a breath or blood test triggers an automatic license suspension. This refusal is documented and can be referenced in the DUI case file at the Clerk of Court.
SLED Criminal Records and Florence County DUI
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains a statewide criminal records database. DUI convictions from Florence County are reported to SLED after the case is resolved. You can request a SLED criminal record check at sled.sc.gov. These records show conviction history and are commonly used for background checks in South Carolina.
SLED records reflect final outcomes, not pending cases. If a DUI case is still open in Florence County, it may not yet appear in the SLED database. The SC Public Index is more current for active case tracking. Use both sources together for the most complete picture of Florence County DUI activity. The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP) is also part of the DUI resolution process and is required for license reinstatement following most DUI convictions in South Carolina.
Cities in Florence County
Florence County includes the City of Florence along with several smaller towns and communities across the Pee Dee region. DUI cases filed within city limits may be handled by Municipal Court, while county-level cases go to the Clerk of Court.
Nearby Counties
Florence County borders several other South Carolina counties in the Pee Dee region. DUI records are filed at the county level, so search the correct county for the case you need.