Abbeville County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Abbeville County, South Carolina, refer to official documentation of individuals incarcerated in county jails. These records provide information about law enforcement detainees and the reasons for their detention. Generally, they are created when law enforcement agencies like the Abbeville County Sheriff's Office execute arrests.

Arrested individuals in Abbeville County are held at the Abbeville County Detention Center, a facility for individuals serving short sentences, awaiting trial, or transferring. The Sheriff's Office primarily maintains these records, which contain details such as the arrestee's information or description, booking information, fingerprint details, alleged charges, and the arresting agency or officer's details. These records can also be found among Abbeville County court records, which are accessible through the county courts.

Are Arrest Records Public in Abbeville County?

Yes, the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows the public access to and obtain records maintained by government agencies, such as law enforcement agencies. The law guides public access to government bodies' records, such as arrest records, while enforcing restrictions on public access. Certain documents must be kept private to protect the owner's privacy or ensure public safety or order. These records include the following:

• Details that will jeopardize ongoing law enforcement investigations
• Records that will amount to an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy, such as medical records
• Details that could deprive someone of an impartial trial
• Juvenile records
• Details that will compromise a confidential source
• Expunged records

Requesters can access the sheriff's office at this address:

Abbeville County Sheriff's Office
21 Old Calhoun Falls Rd.
Abbeville, South Carolina 29620
Office Phone: (864) 446-6000
Detention Center: (864) 446-6200
Fax: (864) 446-6050
Non-emergency: (864) 446-8451
info@abbevillecountysc.com

Abbeville County Arrest Statistics

Abbeville County arrest statistics can be accessed online through the FBI UCR database. This website provides arrest figures for the past two years, which show 92 arrests for all other offenses. Within this period, Abbeville County recorded 20 simple assault arrests, nine arrests for aggravated assault, eight arrests for burglary, and six arrests for larceny. There were three arrests for motor vehicle theft, six arrests for robbery, and two arrests for rape. The county had no recorded arrests for arson and murder.

Find Abbeville County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Abbeville County are maintained primarily by the Sheriff's office. These records can also be obtained from the state Department of Corrections or the Federal Bureau of Prisons. These agencies provide access to arrest records through requests submitted by members of the public. These requests describe the requester, the arrested individual or inmate, and the arrest situation. Record requests can be submitted to these agencies via mail or in person at their various addresses. Requesters can also use online resources like the South Carolina Department of Corrections' Incarcerated Inmate Search website. This website allows inmate searches using first and last name, SID, or SCDC ID for basic searches.

Abbeville County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Criminal records refer to a person's rap sheet or criminal history, which provides details of an individual's crimes and criminal convictions. These records generally contain arrest details, criminal trial documents, sentencing documents, charge sheets, probation details, and parole information. Criminal records are publicly accessible where the crimes do not involve minors or there are no sensitive details contained in them. They provide a person's complete history with the criminal justice system, which can be used for employment. Criminal records are maintained by the courts and law enforcement agencies.

In comparison, arrest records are a part of criminal records that precede the criminal court records. They provide details of individuals in law enforcement custody, their alleged crimes, and the circumstances of their arrest. These records are maintained primarily by the sheriff's office, which is where local law enforcement jurisdiction lies. Arrest records usually contain the arrestee's details, information about the arresting agency and officer, the alleged crimes, booking information, and more. These records are generally publicly accessible, excluding juvenile, expunged, or details from ongoing investigations.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Abbeville County arrests will remain on your public records until you take legal steps to remove them. These records generally do not have automatic removal provisions. The process for removing arrests from your records in Abbeville County is referred to as expungement or sealing. This is done through the courts and will require some conditions to be fulfilled, such as dismissal of the charges or no prosecution, successful completion of the Diversion Programs, such as Pretrial Intervention or Alcohol Education Program, or satisfaction of the required waiting period. Persons who meet the conditions can apply to the 8th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office for expungement.

Abbeville County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are official documents used to direct and authorize an individual's detention. They are issued to law enforcement officers by a judge or magistrate to direct the arrest of the person named for an alleged crime stated in the document. Arrest warrants generally contain details like the charged offense, the warrant number, the name of the accused person, the date of the offense, the name of the affiant, and the signature of the judge or magistrate.

Arrest warrants can be applied for by a private citizen or a law enforcement officer. The judge or magistrate reviews the applicant's sworn testimony and affidavit to determine if probable cause is established. If so, the judge or magistrate issues and signs the warrant for execution by law enforcement. The court can also issue bench warrants to arrest and bring persons who do not show up for a court trial. Arrest warrants are generally publicly accessible through the Sheriff's Office or government agencies like the courts and the Abbeville City Police Department.

Do Abbeville County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Abbeville County arrest warrants do not expire after being issued and signed by a judge. These documents will remain active until the person of interest dies, is arrested, or a judge quashes them. Arrest warrants can be executed by law enforcement agents at any time and across state lines. Statutes of limitations can affect the ability to prosecute the case, but do not make a warrant inactive. However, criminal charges such as felonies do not have statutes of limitations, which means they can be prosecuted at any time. Arrest warrants do not become inactive due to the passage of time in Abbeville County.

Expunge Abbeville County Arrest Records

Expungement is a legal process allowing the public to seal or remove some public records, such as arrests. This process is available to persons who satisfy certain conditions. These conditions include the following:

• The arrest was not prosecuted, or it resulted in a dismissal or not guilty verdict
• Successful completion of a diversion program such as the Traffic Education Program or the Alcohol Education Program
• Satisfying the required waiting period, which varies.
• Being a youthful offender with a 5-year waiting period, including parole or probation.

Individuals who want to apply for expungement must not have any other convictions within the waiting period. They can apply for expungement using this process:

• Submit your application for expungement to the 8th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office.
• Pay the required administrative fees as prescribed by the Solicitor's Office.
• The Solicitor's Office reviews the application, taking the applicant's eligibility into account. If approved, this office forwards the application to a judge for signing.
• After the judge's signature, the application is forwarded to SLED, which handles and updates the state's criminal history records.