Court records of Lexington County, South Carolina, are maintained by the Clerk of Court's office and are accessible through several channels. LexingtonCourt.us will help you find information on publicly available court records for this county. Additionally, you can use the Public Index portal of the South Carolina Judicial Department, contact the Lexington County Clerk of Court's office directly, or visit the courthouse in person.
Lexington Court System Overview
Lexington County is part of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of South Carolina, which also includes Edgefield, McCormick, and Saluda counties. The courts of general jurisdiction in this county are divided into the Court of General Sessions (criminal cases) and the Court of Common Pleas (civil cases). Both courts operate under the supervision of the State Judicial Department. Separate magistrate courts, Family Court, and Probate Court also function independently. The Lexington County Courthouse is located at:
The administrative offices of Lexington County operate from Monday to Friday.
Courts Serving Lexington
Residents of the county are served by several courts of varying levels of jurisdiction.
State Courts
The county has several magistrate courts distributed across geographic zones. Exact addresses and phone numbers can be found on the official county website.
Municipal Courts
Cities within the county — including the Town of Lexington, City of West Columbia, City of Cayce, Town of Irmo — have their own municipal courts that handle city ordinance violations and minor offenses.
Federal Court
Federal bankruptcy cases are also heard in the Columbia Division.
What Types of Cases Lexington Courts Hear
The county courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violations, including DUI
- Civil claims of various scales, including small claims cases
- Family law: divorce, custody, alimony, protective orders
- Probate matters: wills, guardianship, trust management
- Juvenile cases and child protection cases
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
Each category falls under the appropriate court depending on jurisdiction — details below.
District Court Cases in Lexington
The Court of General Sessions handles all felony criminal cases in the county. The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office (Solicitor's Office) prosecutes these cases. A case typically reaches General Sessions after a preliminary hearing in a magistrate court or a grand jury indictment. A Circuit Court judge, appointed on a rotational basis, presides over the case.
The Court of Common Pleas hears civil cases where the claim exceeds the jurisdictional limit of the magistrate court, as well as appeals from magistrate courts. Cases are assigned to judges through the Clerk of Court's office.
Magistrate Court Cases in Lexington
Magistrate courts are the first point of contact for most county residents with the judicial system. They handle misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $500, and conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases.
The civil jurisdiction of magistrate courts in South Carolina is limited to claims up to $7,500. Small claims cases involve amounts up to $7,500 and follow a simplified procedure. Traffic violations, including DUI arrests, also begin in magistrate court. Traffic fines can be paid through the online Traffic Tickets and Court Payments portal.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Lexington
Family Law
The Lexington County Family Court has jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, alimony, paternity, protective orders, and termination of parental rights cases. It is a separate court with specialized judges, not a division of General Sessions or Common Pleas. Certified copies of marriage or divorce certificates can be ordered through the South Carolina Department of Health.
Probate Matters
The Lexington County Probate Court handles matters of deceased persons — from probate of wills to appointing guardians and conservators for incapacitated adults. Trust disputes may also be heard here.
Juvenile Matters
Juvenile cases are heard in Family Court. Juvenile records are confidential under state law. Child protection cases (Child Protective Act) also proceed through Family Court in a closed setting.
How Cases Move Through the Lexington Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with an arrest or issuance of a warrant. A civil case starts with the filing of a complaint with the clerk's office. Family and probate cases begin with a petition.
- Judge Assignment. The Clerk of Court registers the case and assigns it a number. In Circuit Court, judges are appointed on a rotational basis.
- Initial Hearings. In criminal cases, this is an arraignment where charges are read to the defendant and bail is set. In civil cases, a scheduling conference is held to set the timeline.
- Pre-Trial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. Plea negotiations may occur in criminal cases.
- Trial or Resolution. The case may conclude with a jury or bench trial, a plea agreement, a settlement, or a default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing, appeal, or enforcement of judgment. Appeals from magistrate court are filed with Circuit Court; appeals from Circuit Court go to the Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Lexington
Lexington County courts operate under the administrative guidance of the South Carolina Judicial Department. The Clerk of Court's office is responsible for record-keeping, document intake, and visitor services.
Public access to court records is governed by the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Most court records are public, but some categories are restricted — juvenile cases, sealed cases, grand jury records. To obtain copies of records, contact the Clerk's office in person or in writing.
Hearings are generally open to the public. To confirm the possibility of remote participation, contact the court office at (803) 785-8200. Links to public records of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit are available on the county prosecutor's website.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Lexington
- Online Case Search. The SC Judicial Department's Public Index allows searching for cases by party name or case number. This is not an official record but a useful preliminary search tool.
- Clerk of Court's Office. The Clerk's office accepts requests for document copies and provides information on case status.
- Court Forms. Forms for different types of cases are available through the South Carolina Judicial Branch court forms portal — select the required court type.
- Criminal History. Check criminal history by name through SLED CATCH — the State Law Enforcement Division's system.
- Inmate Search. The SC Department of Corrections inmate search shows individuals under SCDC supervision. For inmates in the local detention center, use the Lexington County Sheriff's Department resources.
- Released Inmates. The released inmate list allows searching by release date and county.
- Parole. Search for individuals under supervision by the SC Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services. The Lexington County office is available for in-person visits.
- Property Register. The Lexington County Register of Deeds maintains real estate transaction documents — most are available online.
- Tax Records. Search tax data and information from the assessor's office are available on the county website.
- Sex Offender Registry. Search is available through the Sheriff's Department website and SLED.