DUI Records in Richland County
Richland County DUI records are available through the Clerk of Court, Magistrate Courts, and online through the South Carolina Public Index. As the home of the state capital and the second most populous county in South Carolina, Richland County processes a high volume of DUI cases each year. Cases from Columbia, Forest Acres, Irmo, Blythewood, and the surrounding unincorporated county all flow through the Fifth Judicial Circuit court system. This guide explains how to find and access Richland County DUI records.
Richland County Quick Facts
Richland County DUI Records at the Clerk of Court
The Richland County Clerk of Court is the primary keeper of DUI records for the Court of General Sessions and Court of Common Pleas. The office maintains case files, dockets, sentencing orders, and final dispositions for all circuit-level DUI cases in Richland County. Felony DUI charges under S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2945 involving great bodily injury or death are prosecuted in General Sessions and remain in the Clerk's permanent records.
The Clerk of Court is located at the Richland County Courthouse, 1701 Main Street, 1st Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The phone number for the Civil/Criminal Division is (803) 576-1999. Public access terminals at the courthouse allow in-person case searches at no cost. Certified copies are available for a fee. The current rate is $0.25 per page for standard copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies.
Mail requests should be addressed to Clerk of Court, 1701 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the approximate case year. The Richland County Clerk handles one of the highest caseloads in South Carolina, so using the online Public Index before visiting in person is strongly recommended.
Note: The Clerk of Court at Richland County handles records for the entire county, including all incorporated municipalities and unincorporated communities.
Richland County Government Website and DUI Records
The Richland County Government website at richlandcountysc.gov is the official portal for county services, department contacts, and public record access information. The screenshot below shows the county government homepage, which provides links to the Clerk of Court, Sheriff's Office, and other departments that maintain DUI-related records.
Visit richlandcountysc.gov to find the Clerk of Court department page, which provides direct links to court services and copy request procedures for Richland County DUI records.
Richland County Sheriff's Office and DUI Arrest Records
The Richland County Sheriff's Office provides comprehensive law enforcement services including DUI enforcement throughout unincorporated Richland County. The RCSD Records Division handles public records requests for DUI arrest reports, incident files, and booking records. The Sheriff's Office is located at 5623 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29223. The main line is (803) 576-3000, and the Records Division can be reached at (803) 576-3038.
The Richland County Sheriff's Office website at rcsd.net provides information about the department, its divisions, and how to contact the records staff. Arrest records from RCSD show the charge, arresting officer, booking date, and initial case details. These records are separate from court case records maintained by the Clerk of Court.
The screenshot below shows the Richland County Sheriff's Office website, which serves as the starting point for arrest record requests related to DUI enforcement activity in the unincorporated county.
South Carolina Highway Patrol also makes DUI arrests on state roads throughout Richland County. SCHP arrest records are handled through SLED at sled.sc.gov. A SLED background check is the most thorough way to search for DUI convictions across all South Carolina counties.
Search Richland County DUI Records Online
The South Carolina Public Index is the primary online tool for DUI record searches in Richland County. Go to publicindex.sccourts.org/richland/ and search by defendant name, case number, or date range. Results show 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. Richland County has one of the most active DUI dockets in the state, which makes online access a practical first step before any in-person visit. Cases from General Sessions appear in the Public Index once officially filed.
Online results show case-level data only. For actual court documents, sentencing orders, or transcripts from Richland County DUI cases, you must contact the Clerk of Court at (803) 576-1999 or visit the courthouse in person. The Public Index is updated regularly but may not reflect same-day activity.
Columbia and Municipal Court DUI Records in Richland County
The City of Columbia Municipal Court at columbiasc.gov handles DUI cases that occur within Columbia city limits. Columbia is the state capital and the largest city in Richland County, with a high volume of DUI stops each year. The municipal court processes arraignments, hearings, and dispositions for misdemeanor DUI cases within city limits. Municipal court records may be searched through the Public Index or by contacting the court directly at (803) 545-3155.
Richland County also has municipal courts in Forest Acres, Irmo, and Blythewood. The Town of Forest Acres Municipal Court can be reached at (803) 782-4420. The Town of Irmo Municipal Court is at (803) 732-2980. The Town of Blythewood Municipal Court is at (803) 786-6000. Each court handles DUI cases within its own jurisdiction. Records from these courts may be separate from the county-level Public Index.
Note: Municipal court records are maintained by each city or town, not the County Clerk of Court. Contact the individual court for records from misdemeanor DUI cases heard at that level.
Fifth Circuit Solicitor and Felony DUI in Richland County
The Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office prosecutes felony DUI cases in Richland County. The Solicitor's Office handles DUI cases under § 56-5-2945 involving great bodily injury or death. Convictions for felony DUI causing great bodily injury carry sentences up to 15 years. Felony DUI causing death can result in sentences up to 25 years. The Solicitor also reviews repeat DUI offenses for possible felony indictment.
Felony DUI cases move from arrest to grand jury review and then to the Court of General Sessions in Richland County. Once in General Sessions, the Richland County Clerk of Court maintains the official record. The Public Index reflects these proceedings and updates as cases move through the court. The Fifth Circuit covers both Richland and Kershaw Counties.
South Carolina DUI Law and Richland County Records
All DUI cases in Richland County are prosecuted under South Carolina state law. The base DUI offense under § 56-5-2930 covers driving while materially and appreciably impaired. The DUAC statute under § 56-5-2933 applies when a chemical test shows a blood alcohol content at or above 0.08%. Both types of charges appear regularly in Richland County DUI records.
The ignition interlock device requirement under § 56-5-2941 applies to most DUI convictions in Richland County. First-time convictions require six months on an interlock device. Second convictions require two years, and third convictions require three years. Fourth and subsequent convictions may carry a permanent interlock requirement. These conditions are reflected in sentencing orders on file with the Clerk of Court.
The following charge types commonly appear in Richland County DUI 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 Richland 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. Court records and DMV records are separate systems, and both may be needed to fully understand the outcome of a DUI case in Richland County.
Cities in Richland County
Richland County includes several cities and communities. DUI cases from across the county pass through the Richland County court system and local municipal courts.
Nearby Counties
Richland County is centrally located in South Carolina and borders several other counties. The location of a DUI arrest determines which county court holds the records.