Criminal records in Lexington County, South Carolina, are public documents accessible through several channels. LexingtonCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records are available through the state court portal, law enforcement agencies, and the Lexington County Clerk of Court's office. Below are step-by-step instructions for each search method.
How to Search Criminal Records in Lexington
There are several ways to find criminal records in Lexington County — online, in person, or by mail.
Online Search
- LexingtonCourt.us — enter a name or case number to view publicly available information on county court cases.
- SC Judicial Department Public Index — the official portal of the South Carolina court system. Select Lexington County, enter the last name or case number. The portal shows General Sessions (criminal felonies), Common Pleas, and other types of cases.
- SLED CATCH — the Citizens Access to Criminal Histories system by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Name-based searches allow you to view and print criminal history across the state. This is a paid service.
- Lexington County Sheriff's Department — the sheriff's website offers inmate search in the Detention Center, as well as a sex offender registry.
- SC Department of Corrections Inmate Search — for searching individuals serving sentences in state correctional facilities.
- SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services — search for individuals under supervision (probation, parole).
In Person
Visit the Lexington County Courthouse. The Clerk of Court provides access to public court records during business hours. Public access terminals are also available.
Mail Request
Send a request by mail to the Clerk of Court at the address above or to SLED for a complete statewide criminal history. Include the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
To start a search, you will need at least one of these identifiers:
- Full Name (First and Last Name)
- Date of Birth
- Case Number
- SSN Number — only for requests through SLED
Search Lexington Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific criminal case. In South Carolina, the format of the number depends on the type of court and the year of filing.
A typical General Sessions case number structure looks like this:
- Year — two or four digits indicating the year the case was opened (e.g., 2024)
- Case Type Code — a letter designation identifying the court and category. For example, "GS" stands for General Sessions (criminal felony cases)
- Sequential Number — a sequential number assigned upon registration
Example: 2024-GS-32-00456, where "32" is the code for Lexington County in the state system.
If you have a traffic ticket number, it can also be used for searching through the Public Index portal or for paying a fine.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Lexington
A court record contains several key blocks of information. Here's what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the South Carolina Code under which charges are brought |
| Severity | Felony (a serious crime), Misdemeanor (a less serious offense), Infraction (a violation, such as a traffic offense) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a less serious one as part of a plea deal or following an investigation |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is in the process of being heard
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused before a judge, where charges are read
- Preliminary Hearing — a preliminary hearing to determine if there is sufficient basis
- Pre-Trial — a conference before the trial where parties discuss procedural issues
- Trial / Sentencing — the trial and sentencing
- Review — a review of the case after a decision is made, if necessary
Court Results
| Result | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor has dropped the charges |
| Acquitted | Acquitted as a result of the trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Lexington
Certified copies are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by employers, attorneys, and government agencies. A regular printout from the online portal is not certified.
Where to Submit a Request
- Lexington County Clerk of Court — issues certified copies of court documents for General Sessions and Common Pleas cases
- SLED — provides official statewide criminal history checks through the CATCH system or by written request with fingerprints
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the Clerk of Court at the courthouse. Bring valid photo identification (driver's license or passport)
- By Mail — send a written request including full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a copy of identification
- Online through SLED — use the CATCH portal for statewide criminal history checks. You must accept the terms of use and make a payment
For SLED fingerprint requests, contact your local law enforcement agency or the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division directly.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Lexington
The cost depends on the type of request and the agency you contact. Below are approximate fees according to current South Carolina law.
| Service | Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (not certified) | Typically $0.25–$0.50 per page | Clerk of Court, according to the SC Freedom of Information Act |
| Document certification | Additional fee per document (check with Clerk of Court) | Clerk of Court |
| SLED CATCH — online criminal history check | $25 per search | SLED CATCH |
| SLED — fingerprint check | Cost varies; check with SLED | SC Law Enforcement Division |
Processing Time
- Online search through Public Index or CATCH — results are available instantly or within a few minutes
- Request to Clerk of Court in person — usually processed the same day if documents are in electronic form. Older cases may take longer
- Mail request — from a few business days to two weeks depending on the volume of the request and office workload
- Fingerprint check through SLED — may take from a few days to several weeks
Note: According to the SC Freedom of Information Act, government agencies are required to respond to a request within 15 business days or notify of a delay. If you do not receive a response, contact the appropriate office directly.