Lancaster County Public Records / Lancaster County Arrest Records

Lancaster County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Lancaster County in 2026

LancasterCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Lancaster County, South Carolina. Members of the public may find booking details, charge information, custody status, and related court case data through this resource. Record categories available through official and third-party channels may include arrest logs, booking records, mugshots, bond information, and associated criminal case filings.

Members of the public may search arrest records through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following sections outline each available method in detail.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and arrest information for individuals processed through the county detention facility. Members of the public may access current jail roster information and recent arrest data through the Sheriff's Office official web portal. Available information includes arrestee name, charges, booking date, bond amount, and custody status. The jail roster is updated on a regular basis, with new bookings reflected within 24 hours of processing.

2. Local Police Departments

The City of Lancaster Police Department and other municipal law enforcement agencies operating within Lancaster County may publish arrest logs or press releases containing arrest information. The Lancaster City Police Department issues periodic public notices regarding significant arrests. Members of the public seeking arrest information from a specific municipal jurisdiction should contact the relevant department directly, as online availability varies by agency.

Lancaster City Police Department
201 W Gay St
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 283-3313
Lancaster City Police Department

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Arrest records are frequently linked to criminal court cases filed in the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas or Magistrate's Court. Members of the public may search associated court cases through the Lancaster County Magistrate's Court public record search portal. Searching by an individual's name may return associated case numbers, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case dispositions. Court case records provide additional context beyond the initial arrest record.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains the state's central criminal records repository. Members of the public may request a criminal history background check through SLED, which includes arrest and conviction data from all jurisdictions within South Carolina. A standard public criminal history check currently costs $25.00 per subject. The SLED database includes arrest dates, charges, dispositions, and sentencing information where available.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office
210 W Gay St
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 283-3388
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate arrest date. Copy fees apply as described in the fees section below.

Clerk of Court:
Lancaster County Clerk of Court
101 N Main St
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 285-1581
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Lancaster County Clerk of Court

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office at 210 W Gay St, Lancaster, SC 29720. Each written request should include the subject's full legal name, date of arrest if known, booking number if available, and the requestor's full name and return mailing address. Payment for applicable copy fees should be enclosed. Processing time for mailed requests is typically 10 business days from receipt.

By Phone:

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office may be reached at (803) 283-3388 during regular business hours. Staff can confirm whether an individual is currently in custody and provide general booking information. Detailed record copies are not available by phone and require an in-person visit or written request.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated investigative materials through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas directed to the custodian of records compel production of documents not otherwise available through routine public access. In active criminal proceedings, defense counsel may obtain arrest records through the discovery process governed by the South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, city police, or state agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Lancaster County

Arrest records in Lancaster County are public records under South Carolina law. Pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, codified at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq., all public bodies are required to make their records available for inspection and copying by members of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies fall within the definition of public records subject to disclosure under this framework.

As stated in the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, "it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are made by such officials on their behalf." This principle underlies the public availability of arrest records in Lancaster County.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records (restricted or sealed under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2020)
Expunged arrest records (removed from public access by court order)
Sealed records (subject to court-ordered confidentiality)
Information pertaining to active investigations
Identities of undercover officers
Confidential informant information
Victim identifying information in certain offense categories
Participants in witness protection programs

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

The public availability of arrest records reflects the balance between government transparency and individual privacy interests recognized under both the South Carolina Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Press organizations and members of the public retain the right to access arrest information as part of the broader principle of open government. Due process considerations require that arrest records accurately reflect the status of charges, including dismissals and acquittals.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General members of the public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers (subject to restrictions under the Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Landlords (subject to applicable restrictions)
Licensing and regulatory agencies
Background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing screening. Employers and landlords using arrest records obtained through consumer reporting agencies must comply with FCRA adverse action procedures. South Carolina does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though federal contractors are subject to separate requirements. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

What's in Lancaster County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest by street address or general area
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Police Department, or state agency)
Arresting officer name and badge number (in some records)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information where applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges as filed
Statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions
Classification by felony degree or misdemeanor class
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation where applicable
Gang-related designation where applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not included in public-facing records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type, which may include:
- Cash bond
- Surety bond
- Personal recognizance (PR bond)
- No bond
Release date and time if the individual has been released
Release conditions where publicly available

Court Information:

Court case number assigned following arrest
Court jurisdiction (Magistrate's Court or Court of Common Pleas)
Scheduled arraignment date
Court location
Judge assignment where available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest from the police report
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during investigation
Investigative techniques employed
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted by law)
Financial account information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives not included in booking records
Court records: Document legal proceedings initiated following arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences imposed
Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repositories

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Lancaster County?

Members of the public may inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. Fees apply when copies are requested. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, public bodies may charge fees for the search, retrieval, and copying of public records, provided such fees do not exceed the actual cost of the service.

Record Type	Fee
Paper copies (per page)	$0.25 per page (standard)
Certified copies	$1.00–$2.00 per document
Electronic records (where available)	Varies by agency
SLED criminal history check	$25.00 per subject
Clerk of Court case copies	$0.50 per page

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Money order (for mail requests)
Personal check (subject to agency policy)
Credit or debit card (where available at the agency)

Fee Waivers:

Members of the public who are indigent or who are requesting records for a public interest purpose may request a fee waiver from the custodian of records. Fee waiver requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the relevant agency. Attorneys of record in active criminal proceedings may obtain records through discovery without standard copy fees.

What Is Available at No Cost:

In-person inspection of public arrest records
Online jail roster review through the Sheriff's Office website
Court case status checks through the Magistrate's Court public search portal
General booking information provided verbally by phone

How To Delete Arrest Records in Lancaster County

Under South Carolina law, the legal mechanisms for removing arrest records from public access are expungement (physical destruction or sealing of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while retaining the record in law enforcement systems). Expungement results in the destruction of the record, while sealing restricts public access without destroying the underlying document. South Carolina law uses the term "expungement" to describe the primary process available to eligible individuals.

Eligibility for Expungement:

South Carolina's expungement statutes, codified at S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 et seq., establish the categories of arrests and convictions eligible for expungement. Eligible circumstances include:

Charges that were dismissed or nolle prossed (not prosecuted)
Arrests where no charges were filed
Acquittals (not guilty verdicts)
First-offense convictions for certain misdemeanors after completion of sentence and a waiting period
Successful completion of a pretrial intervention or diversion program
Certain youthful offender convictions after the required waiting period

Circumstances Where Expungement Is Not Available:

Convictions for serious violent offenses
Sex offense convictions requiring registration
Offenses involving minors as victims
Cases with pending charges or active probation/parole

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court disposition from the Clerk of Court.
Confirm eligibility under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 based on the charge type and case outcome.
Complete the South Carolina Expungement Application, available through the Solicitor's Office or Clerk of Court.
Submit the application to the 6th Circuit Solicitor's Office, which serves Lancaster County, along with the applicable filing fee (currently $250.00 for most expungements; no fee for certain dismissals and acquittals).
The Solicitor's Office reviews the application and, if approved, forwards it to the court for a judge's signature.
Upon court approval, the order is transmitted to SLED, the arresting agency, and the Clerk of Court for record destruction or sealing.

6th Circuit Solicitor's Office
1675 E Dunlap Rd
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 285-1581
6th Circuit Solicitor's Office

Lancaster County Clerk of Court
101 N Main St
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 285-1581
Lancaster County Clerk of Court

Following a successful expungement, the record is removed from SLED's public criminal history database and from local law enforcement records. Third-party commercial databases are not subject to the expungement order and may retain the record independently; individuals must contact those companies separately to request removal.

What Happens After Arrest in Lancaster County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Lancaster County Detention Center, the primary booking facility serving the county. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county. The individual remains in restraints during transport and may be held briefly at the scene if investigation activities require completion prior to transport.

Lancaster County Detention Center
210 W Gay St
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 283-3388
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the detention center, the booking process is initiated. The process typically requires one to four hours depending on facility volume. Steps in the booking process include:

Recording of personal identification information
Advisement of Miranda rights if not previously given
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted for criminal history check
Outstanding warrants check conducted
Personal property inventoried and secured
Clothing exchanged for jail-issued uniform
Medical screening completed
Brief mental health screening
Housing classification determination

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under South Carolina law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate for a first appearance within 24 hours of arrest. At the first appearance:

The individual is formally notified of the charges
The right to appointed counsel is addressed for indigent defendants
Bond is set or denied by the magistrate
Rights are explained

First appearances may be conducted via video conference. The Lancaster County Magistrate's Court handles initial appearances for arrests made within the county.

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash to the detention facility. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided all court appearances are made.

Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, typically 10–15% of the total bond. The bondsman assumes financial responsibility for the defendant's court appearances.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear without monetary payment. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The magistrate may deny bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or outstanding out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release may include check-in requirements with pretrial services, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release typically takes one to eight hours. The individual receives their personal property, a written notice of court dates, and written conditions of release. Failure to appear at any scheduled court date results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a bench warrant.

If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to facility rules including commissary, phone privileges, and visitation schedules.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender's Office:
Lancaster County Public Defender
101 N Main St, Suite 200
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 285-6969
South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense

Eligibility for appointed counsel is based on financial need. Defendants must complete an application at the first appearance or shortly thereafter. Private attorneys may visit clients at the detention center in confidential consultation rooms.

Charging Decision:

The 6th Circuit Solicitor's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony offenses, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause supports an indictment. For misdemeanor offenses, the Solicitor files a formal information directly.

Arraignment follows the charging decision, at which the defendant enters a formal plea. The majority of defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, preserving all pretrial rights.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery (exchange of evidence), pretrial motions (suppression, dismissal), pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution options include dismissal, diversion programs such as pretrial intervention or drug court, plea agreements, or trial before a jury or judge.

Upon conviction, the judge imposes a sentence that may include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination. Defendants receive credit for time served in pretrial detention. Individuals currently incarcerated in a South Carolina Department of Corrections facility may be located through the SCDC inmate search tool.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: Within 24 hours
First appearance to arraignment: Days to several weeks
Arraignment to trial or resolution: Several months, varying by charge complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to a few months in most cases
Felonies: May require six months to over one year depending on complexity
Right to speedy trial: Guaranteed under Article I, Section 14 of the South Carolina Constitution

What to Do If Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than retained or appointed counsel
Contact family or trusted individuals for assistance with bond
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Lancaster County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Lancaster County is governed by South Carolina law and the records retention schedules established by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Public bodies are required to maintain records in accordance with approved retention schedules and may not destroy records outside of those schedules.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions: Records of felony convictions are retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Court, and SLED's central criminal history repository. These records are also transmitted to the FBI's Interstate Identification Index and retained at the federal level indefinitely.

Misdemeanor Convictions: Misdemeanor conviction records are retained permanently at the state repository level. Local law enforcement and court records are retained for a minimum of ten years following case closure, with many agencies maintaining permanent digital records.

Dismissed Charges and Acquittals: Arrest records associated with dismissed charges or acquittals may remain in local law enforcement databases and the state repository unless the subject obtains an expungement order. Court records for dismissed cases are retained for a minimum of three to ten years depending on the offense classification.

Charges Not Filed: Booking records for arrests where no charges were filed are retained for a minimum of three years at the local level. These records are among the most eligible for expungement under current South Carolina law.

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Digital records maintained in records management systems and court electronic filing systems are retained permanently in most cases. Physical booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained according to the applicable retention schedule, with digital copies often superseding physical records. Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records are retained for a minimum of three years.

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot aggregation websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to expungement orders issued by South Carolina courts. These entities are governed by the FCRA with respect to employment and housing screening but are not required to remove records upon expungement unless they operate as consumer reporting agencies subject to FCRA accuracy requirements.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention in all official databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
Dismissal: Remains in databases unless expunged; local retention varies by agency
Expungement: Physical destruction or sealing of local records; SLED updates the state repository; FBI database may retain a notation accessible only to law enforcement
No charges filed: Shortest retention period; may be purged automatically after three years or upon expungement

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks report criminal history for a period of seven years for positions paying under $75,000 annually. Convictions may be reported indefinitely regardless of salary threshold. South Carolina does not currently impose additional restrictions on the reporting period beyond federal FCRA requirements. Arrests without convictions may appear on background checks but cannot be used as the sole basis for adverse employment decisions in certain regulated industries.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public seeking information about the retention status of a specific arrest record may contact the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office Records Division at (803) 283-3388 or submit a written public records request pursuant to the Lancaster County Freedom of Information Act process. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.