Charleston County Booking Records Search
Charleston County is one of the largest counties in South Carolina. It processes roughly 33,000 inmates each year through the Al Cannon Detention Center. The Charleston County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search tool that is free to use. You can look up recent arrests by name and find booking details, charges, and bond information. Court records are also searchable through the county's public index. Charleston County offers more online access to arrest data than most counties in the state.
Charleston County Quick Facts
Charleston County Sheriff's Office and Recent Arrests
The Charleston County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The main office is at 3841 Leeds Avenue in North Charleston. You can call 843-529-7300 for general questions. The CCSO handles patrol, investigations, warrants, and the detention center. All arrests made by CCSO deputies produce public booking records.
Charleston County has a large geographic area that includes urban and rural zones. The Sheriff's Office works alongside city police departments in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and other towns. When any agency in the county makes an arrest, the person is brought to the Al Cannon Detention Center for booking. This makes the detention center the central hub for all Charleston County arrest data.
The CCSO also posts press releases about major arrests. These can help you find details about high-profile cases in Charleston County. Check their website for the latest updates on law enforcement activity.
Charleston County Inmate Search Tool
The Charleston County Inmate Search is the fastest way to find recent arrests. This online tool covers everyone currently held at the Al Cannon Detention Center. You can search by first name, last name, or booking number. Results show the person's charges, bond amount, booking date, and mugshot.
The Al Cannon Detention Center processes about 33,000 inmates per year. It is one of the busiest jails in South Carolina. The facility is located in North Charleston. Staff handle intake, housing, medical care, and release. Because of the high volume, the online inmate search updates often. This makes it a good tool for checking on recent arrests in Charleston County.
Keep in mind that the inmate search only shows people who are currently in custody. Once someone bonds out or is released, their record may no longer appear. For past arrests, use the court records search instead.
Note: The Charleston County inmate search is free to use and does not require you to create an account.
Court Records for Charleston County Arrests
The Charleston County Clerk of Court maintains all criminal case files. The office is at 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, in downtown Charleston. You can call (843) 958-5000 for help. The Clerk of Court website has information about services and hours.
For online searches, the Charleston County Public Index lets you look up cases by name or case number. It covers criminal, civil, and traffic cases. The results show charge details, hearing dates, and disposition information. This is the best tool for finding the court outcome of a Charleston County arrest.
The statewide SC Courts records search also covers Charleston County. Use it when you need to check records across multiple counties at once.
Public Records Requests in Charleston County
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request arrest records from any public agency in Charleston County. The city of Charleston also has a FOIA request portal for records held by city departments. Fees vary by agency. Administrative staff time is billed at $19.24 per hour. Police staff time runs $20.73 per hour. Copies cost $0.10 per page.
To make a FOIA request, put it in writing. Include the name of the person, the date range, and what type of record you need. Send it to the agency that holds the records. The Sheriff's Office handles arrest reports. The Clerk of Court handles case files. Each office in Charleston County has its own process, but all must follow state law on response times.
State Resources for Charleston County Arrest Data
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains the state's criminal records database. SLED collects arrest and conviction data from all 46 counties, including Charleston County. The SLED CATCH system lets you run background checks that pull from this database. There is a fee for each search.
The SCDC inmate search tracks people who are serving time in state prison. If someone from Charleston County was sentenced to state custody, you can find them here. The search shows their name, photo, sentence length, and expected release date. It is free and open to the public.
Crime victims can use VINELink to track an offender's status. The system sends alerts by phone, email, or text when there is a change. This is useful for people who want to know when someone arrested in Charleston County is released from custody.
Note: Under SC Code Title 17, arrest records in Charleston County are public unless a court has ordered them sealed.
Recent Arrests in Charleston County Explained
An arrest in Charleston County follows a clear process. First, an officer makes the arrest based on probable cause or a warrant. The person is taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center. Staff complete the booking process. This creates the arrest record.
Next comes the bond hearing. A judge decides whether to set bond and how much it will be. For minor charges, bond may be set within a few hours. Serious charges can mean a longer wait. The bond amount depends on the charge, the person's criminal history, and flight risk. Charleston County magistrate judges handle most initial bond hearings.
- Booking record created at the Al Cannon Detention Center
- Bond hearing held before a Charleston County magistrate
- Case forwarded to the solicitor for prosecution
- Arraignment and trial in General Sessions or magistrate court
- Final disposition recorded in the court system
Once a case is resolved, the outcome is part of the public record. You can find it through the Charleston County Public Index. Convictions stay on a person's record unless expunged under South Carolina law. Dismissed charges may qualify for expungement after a waiting period.
Counties Near Charleston County
Charleston County shares borders with several neighboring counties. If the person you are looking for was arrested near the county line, these areas may have the records you need.