Chesterfield County Arrest Records

Under Title 17, Chapter 13 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office and other local and state law enforcement agencies within Chesterfield County can make arrests with or without warrants if they witness or have evidence of criminal acts. Also, an arrest may become necessary if a Chesterfield County court issues an arrest warrant.

Law enforcement agencies in Chesterfield County detain arrestees at the Chesterfield County Detention Center or local police departments holding cells. Long-term convicts may serve their prison terms at the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) or federal detention facilities. Chesterfield County arrest records are accessible through law enforcement agencies and as part of Chesterfield County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Chesterfield County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Chesterfield County. According to Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, individuals or organizations have the right to access Chesterfield County arrest records if the arrest documents do not relate to:

• Juveniles
• Sealed or expunged records
• Victim or witness information
• Ongoing law enforcement investigations
• Confidential informant information
• National security.

Only the subjects of exempted Chesterfield County arrest records and legally authorized entities can access them. Interested individuals seeking to access Chesterfield County arrest records should contact the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office at:

203 Watson Street
Chesterfield,
SC 29709
Phone: (843) 623-2101.

Chesterfield County Arrest Statistics

The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program database shows a rise in the number of arrests within Chesterfield County between January 2021 and December 2023. In 2021, law enforcement agencies within Chesterfield County arrested 1,384 individuals for various offenses. This figure rose to 1,550 in 2022 and 1,624 in 2023. During this period, 3,447 males and 1,111 females were taken into custody by the Chesterfield County law enforcement agencies.

Between 2021 and 2023, drug/narcotics violations, simple assaults, and larceny crimes were the most consistent arrestable incidents within the county. There were 1,285, 710, and 325 drug/narcotics, simple assaults, and larceny-related arrests by Chesterfield County law enforcement agencies within this period.

Find Chesterfield County Arrest Records

Chesterfield County arrest records are accessible through various government repositories. Interested individuals seeking access to Chesterfield County arrest records should call, visit, or submit a FOIA request to the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office or local law enforcement agency responsible for the specific arrest. Also, record seekers can log in to the South Carolina Department of Corrections Incarcerated Inmates Search Portal and use the search tools to look for information relating to Chesterfield County arrestees serving terms in state prisons.

For Chesterfield County court-related arrest records, inquirers may call, fax, or visit the Chesterfield County Clerk of Court Office at:

200 West Main Street,
Chesterfield,
SC 29709
Phone: (843) 623-2574
Fax: (843) 623-6944
Email: cgaddy@chesterfieldcountysc.com.

Chesterfield County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Although Chesterfield County arrests and criminal records provide information for criminal investigations, they are distinct documents.

Arrest records provide information about arrests and detention by law enforcement. These documents contain personal details of individuals arrested by law enforcement, the reasons for arrests, and conditions for their release. Under South Carolina law, an arrestee is innocent until a court says otherwise. An arrest may not significantly impact the record owner if it does not result in a criminal conviction.

On the other hand, criminal records encompass Chesterfield County arrest records and other files relating to criminal trials within the Chesterfield County courts. Criminal records are legal evidence of guilt and punishment for criminal offenses. Chesterfield County criminal records may negatively impact social status, housing, and employment opportunities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Chesterfield County arrest information stays on a record indefinitely if the court does not intervene. Section 17-22-910 through 17-22-940 of the South Carolina Code of Laws Unannotated grants individuals the right to petition the court to remove their arrest records if the arrests result from:

• First-time non-violent misdemeanor offenses
• First-time youthful offenders
• Fraudulent check convictions
• Identity thefts
• First-time possession of marijuana
• First-offense possession with intent to distribute (PWID).

Chesterfield County Arrest Warrants

Chesterfield County arrest warrants are court-issued documents authorizing law enforcement to arrest suspects of arrestable acts. In Chesterfield County and other parts of South Carolina, a judge/magistrate may issue an arrest warrant if law officers or prosecutors provide evidence of crimes. Also, the court may issue arrest warrants if an individual fails to comply with court orders or a suspect tries to avoid prosecution for a crime.

A valid arrest warrant contains information which includes but is not limited to:

• Personal information of the suspect
• Section of South Carolina law alleged violated
• Statement of probable cause
• Name and jurisdiction of the court issuing the warrant
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant
• Warrant number
• Name, title, and signature of the issuing judge/magistrate.

Do Chesterfield County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Chesterfield County and the rest of the United States, arrest warrants do not expire. These documents remain active until law enforcement arrests the subjects or the court recalls the warrants. However, factors such as the statute of limitations on the underlying crime or the demise of the subject of the warrant may affect the enforcement of arrest warrants.