Chester County Arrest Records

Chester County arrest records refer to documents created by the Chester County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies to evidence arrests within Chester County, SC. These documents are accessible through the arresting agencies and as part of Chester County court records.

Title 17, Chapter 13 of the South Carolina Code of Laws and applicable federal laws authorize Chester County law officers and citizens to effect arrests if there is evidence of arrestable acts. Also, the laws empower law enforcement to apprehend and detain the subjects of arrest warrants.

After processing, Chester County law enforcement agencies may detain arrestees at local police departments holding cells or incarcerate them at the Chester County Detention Center (this facility houses pretrial detainees and convicts serving short-term sentences). State and federal arrestees may serve their prison terms at the South Carolina Department of Corrections or federal detention facilities.

Are Arrest Records Public in Chester County?

Yes, Chester County arrest records are public. Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act ensures the right of individuals to access Chester County arrest records and other government documents at minimal costs and reasonable times. However, there are exemptions to public access to some Chester County arrest records. South Carolina laws do not permit public access to arrest information relating to juvenile offenders, sealed or expunged cases, active law enforcement investigations, victim or witness information, public safety, confidential law enforcement records, and records protected by privacy laws.

Access to exempted arrest records may require official clearance. Individuals seeking access to Chester County arrest records should contact the agencies responsible for the specific arrests or call, fax, mail, or visit the Chester County Sheriff's Office at:

2740 Dawson Drive,
Chester,
SC 29706
Phone: (803) 581-5131
Fac: (803) 581-5552

Chester County Arrest Statistics

According to data from the FBI UCR database, there were 1,047 arrests in Chester County in 2021. In 2022 and 2023, Chester County law enforcement agencies reported 898 and 916 arrest incidents, respectively. Between 2021 and 2023, males accounted for 78% of arrests within Chester County. Drug/narcotic violations were the most common arrestable offense within Chester County. The table below summarizes Chester County arrests from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023.

Data Source: FBI UCR database.

Find Chester County Arrest Records

Finding Chester County arrest involves records searches through law enforcement and court repositories. Public members searching for Chester County arrest records should:

• Visit or send mail requests to the Chester County Sheriff's Office or contact the law enforcement agencies responsible for the specific arrests.
• Log into the Chester County Detention Center Inmate Search Portal and view information view arrest information of Chester County active and released inmates
• Request background checks on Chester County arrestees through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Citizen Access to Criminal Histories page
• Call, fax, mail, or visit the Chester County Clerk of Court Office and request access to arrest records through court records at:

140 Main Street,
P.O. Box 580, Chester,
SC 29706
Phone: (803) 385-2605
Fax: (855) 935-3708

Chester County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Chester County arrests and criminal records are complementary documents that play crucial roles in crime-fighting and law enforcement. However, there are distinctions between both documents. There are differences in content, legal implications, and impacts of arrests and criminal records.

Chester County arrest records

• Arrest records are law enforcement documents that detail arrests and detentions. These documents contain the names and personal details of their owners, the cause of the arrest, and the conditions for the release of the arrestees.
• Arrest records do not imply guilt for crimes. Arrestees are innocent of the charges against them unless the courts say otherwise.
• Arrest records may not have significant impacts if they do not result in convictions.

Chester County criminal records

• Chester County criminal records are documents generated by Chester County courts during criminal trials. These are more comprehensive than arrest records; they provide details of criminal acts, their prosecutions, and outcomes under the Chester County criminal justice system.
• Criminal records are legal confirmation of guilt for criminal acts
• A Chester County criminal record can impact employment, social status, housing, and personal relationships.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Chester County and the rest of South Carolina, arrest information stays on records permanently unless the courts seal or remove them.

Section 17-1-40 of the South Carolina Code of Laws and other statutes within Title 17, Chapter 22 grant owners of arrest records the right to petition the courts to seal or remove them if they are eligible. Under South Carolina laws, arrest records may be eligible for sealing or removal if:

• The arrest results in dismissal or acquittal
• The offender completes a Pretrial Intervention Program for an eligible offense
• The arrest record is for a first-offense misdemeanor conviction
• The offender is between the age of 17 and 25 years (youthful offender) at the time of the arrest
• The owner of the arrest record completes the sentence for the crime and observes the waiting period.

Chester County Arrest Warrants

In Chester County, arrest warrants refer to legal orders from the county's courts authorizing the arrest of offenders. Judges/magistrates of Chester County courts issue arrest warrants if there is probable cause to believe that Individuals committed arrestable acts. Also, the courts may issue warrants for domestic assaults, violation of probation, disregard for court orders, and several other offenses.

A legally valid Chester County arrest warrant contains the following information or more:

• Name, known aliases, and physical description of the wanted individual
• Charges against the subject and sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws allegedly broken
• An affidavit or statement of probable cause
• Name and signature of the issuing judge/magistrate
• Name and location of the issuing court
• Orders to law enforcement to arrest the subject
• Geographical jurisdiction of the warrant
• Directives to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant
• Date of issuance of the warrant.

Do Chester County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Chester County arrest warrants do not expire. Chester County arrest warrants remain active until law enforcement apprehends and detains the subjects. However, Chester County arrest warrants become inactive at the demise of their subjects or if the courts revoke them.

Notwithstanding the permanent active status of Chester County arrest warrants, factors such as statutes of limitations, accurate and specific information, procedural errors, and constitutional violations may invalidate them. For instance, if there is a statute of limitation on crime, prosecutors must bring charges against the suspects within the specified timeframe. Otherwise, any associated warrant becomes unenforceable, and the judge/magistrate cannot issue a fresh warrant.