Williamsburg County DUI Records
Williamsburg County DUI records are kept by the Clerk of Court, Magistrate Courts, and the South Carolina Public Index. Located in the Pee Dee region and part of the Third Judicial Circuit, Williamsburg County processes DUI cases from Kingstree and the surrounding rural communities. This guide explains where to search for Williamsburg County DUI records, how to request documents, and what information is available through online and in-person channels.
Williamsburg County Quick Facts
Williamsburg County DUI Records at the Clerk of Court
The Williamsburg County Clerk of Court is the official keeper of DUI records for the Court of General Sessions and Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk maintains case files, dockets, sentencing orders, and final dispositions for all circuit-level DUI proceedings in Williamsburg County. Felony DUI charges under S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2945 involving great bodily injury or death are handled in General Sessions and preserved in the Clerk's permanent files.
The Clerk of Court operates from the Williamsburg County Courthouse in Kingstree. Public access terminals allow in-person case searches, and certified copies of DUI records are available for a fee. Staff can locate cases by defendant name or case number. Williamsburg County is a smaller rural jurisdiction, so calling ahead before visiting is especially helpful to confirm staffing and availability.
The Williamsburg County government website at williamsburgcounty.sc.gov provides contact information for the Clerk of Court and other county departments. Use the website to find current office hours, mailing address, and phone numbers before submitting a records request.
Note: All DUI records for cases that proceeded through the circuit court in Williamsburg County are maintained by the Clerk of Court, regardless of where the arrest occurred within the county.
Williamsburg County Government Website and DUI Resources
The Williamsburg County Government website is the central portal for county department information and public record contacts. The screenshot below shows the county homepage, which links to the Clerk of Court and Sheriff's Office among other departments that hold DUI-related records.
Visit the Williamsburg County Government website to find department contacts, office hours, and information on how to request records from county agencies.
The county website serves as the first reference point when you need to identify which office holds a specific Williamsburg County DUI case or arrest record.
Search Williamsburg County DUI Cases Online
The South Carolina Public Index provides free online access to Williamsburg County court records. Use the Williamsburg County portal at publicindex.sccourts.org/williamsburg/ to search by defendant name, case number, or date range. Results show charges, hearing dates, attorney names, and case dispositions. The system is available at any time and does not require registration.
The SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org maintains the Public Index alongside court forms, county contact directories, and self-help resources. Because Williamsburg County is a smaller jurisdiction, the number of active DUI cases in the online system at any given time is lower than in more populous counties. Searching by name is typically the most efficient approach.
The Public Index shows case-level information only. Obtaining actual court documents or certified copies from Williamsburg County DUI cases requires contacting the Clerk of Court directly. The system updates regularly but may lag behind same-day court activity by a business day or more.
Williamsburg County Magistrate Court and DUI Records
The Williamsburg County Magistrate Court handles misdemeanor DUI cases and preliminary hearings for serious DUI charges. First and second DUI offenses under § 56-5-2930 that stay at the misdemeanor level are often processed at the Magistrate level in Williamsburg County. These records are not part of the circuit court system and typically do not appear in the Public Index.
DUAC charges under § 56-5-2933 and implied consent matters under § 56-5-2950 may also be handled at Magistrate Court in Williamsburg County. Requesting these records requires a direct inquiry to the Magistrate Court. As a rural county, Williamsburg County has limited staff, so written requests submitted in advance are advisable.
Note: If a Williamsburg County DUI case is not found in the Public Index, it may have been heard and resolved at the Magistrate level, which has separate record-keeping from the circuit court system.
Williamsburg County Sheriff and DUI Arrest Records
The Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office handles DUI law enforcement throughout unincorporated Williamsburg County. The Sheriff's Records Division maintains DUI arrest reports, booking records, and incident files. These arrest records document the charge, date, arresting officer, and initial booking details but are distinct from court case records held by the Clerk of Court.
South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers also make DUI arrests on state roads and highways running through Williamsburg County. SCHP records are accessible through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division at sled.sc.gov. A SLED background check covers DUI convictions from all South Carolina counties, including Williamsburg County, and is one of the most thorough methods for a statewide records search.
License suspensions tied to Williamsburg County DUI convictions are tracked by the South Carolina DMV at dmv.sc.gov. The license suspension process under § 56-5-2990 is separate from the criminal court record. The ADSAP program is required before a suspended license can be reinstated. Both DMV and court records may be needed to fully understand a DUI conviction in Williamsburg County.
Third Circuit Solicitor and Felony DUI in Williamsburg County
The Third Circuit Solicitor's Office prosecutes felony DUI charges in Williamsburg County. Felony DUI under § 56-5-2945 applies when a DUI crash causes great bodily injury or death. A conviction for felony DUI with great bodily injury carries a sentence of up to 15 years. Felony DUI causing death can result in up to 25 years. The Third Circuit covers Williamsburg, Clarendon, Lee, and Sumter Counties.
After a grand jury indictment, the case moves to the Court of General Sessions in Williamsburg County. The Clerk of Court then holds the official record for all proceedings. The Public Index is updated as the case progresses. Because the Third Circuit spans multiple counties, the Solicitor's Office handles felony DUI cases from across the region.
Ignition interlock requirements under § 56-5-2941 follow most DUI convictions in Williamsburg County. First offenses require six months on an interlock device. Second offenses carry a two-year requirement, and third offenses require three years. Fourth and later convictions may result in a permanent interlock requirement. These conditions appear in the sentencing orders on file with the Clerk of Court.
South Carolina DUI Law in Williamsburg County
All DUI cases in Williamsburg County are prosecuted under South Carolina state statutes. The base DUI offense under § 56-5-2930 requires proof that the driver was materially and appreciably impaired. The DUAC statute under § 56-5-2933 applies when a chemical test confirms a blood alcohol content at or above 0.08%. Both types of charges appear in Williamsburg County court records.
The following charge types are commonly found in Williamsburg County DUI records:
- DUI under § 56-5-2930 (impaired driving)
- DUAC under § 56-5-2933 (0.08%+ BAC by chemical test)
- 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 Williamsburg County DUI convictions are handled by the South Carolina DMV. The ADSAP program is required before reinstatement of a license suspended under § 56-5-2990. Court records and DMV records are separate systems held by separate agencies, and both may need to be reviewed to get the full picture of a DUI case in Williamsburg County.
Cities in Williamsburg County
Williamsburg County is a rural county with Kingstree as its county seat. DUI cases from across the county are processed through the Williamsburg County court system.
Nearby Counties
Williamsburg County sits in the Pee Dee region and borders several other South Carolina counties. The location of the DUI arrest determines which county's court maintains the case records.