Dillon County Arrest Records

As stipulated in Title 17, Chapter 13 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, law enforcement agencies in Dillon County, South Carolina, possess the authority to detain individuals based on probable cause, including when they witness a criminal act, possess an arrest warrant, or have evidence linking a person to a crime.

The Dillon County Sheriff's Office and other local police departments manage the Dillon County arrest records. These records are vital for judicial processes and may become part of the Dillon County court records, criminal history files maintained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and records held by the Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, as an offender moves through the justice system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Dillon County?

Yes, The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in South Carolina Code of Laws Section 30-4, regulates public access to records produced by public agencies, including Dillon County law enforcement departments. This statute requires law enforcement entities, such as the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, to provide most records for public review, promoting openness in government activities.

However, the FOIA has some exceptions that limit particular documents/information from public access. Section 30-4-40(3) details documents that can be withheld, for instance, if their release would obstruct ongoing law enforcement activities, infringe upon personal privacy, or compromise the fairness of a trial.

Examples of protected documents include personally identifying details, information that could endanger confidential sources or officers working undercover, and records about minors. In these instances, documents may be entirely private or have certain parts removed. However, individuals with proper authorization, such as those arrested, their legal representative, or designated government agencies, can access restricted documents.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

An arrest record generally presents a range of publicly accessible information about an arrested individual and the circumstances of the arrest, as seen below:

• The arrestee's full name, date of birth, and photograph
• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency
• Bail amount
• Criminal charges

Dillon County Arrest Statistics

South Carolina's Law Enforcement Division (SLED), through the South Carolina Incident-Based Reporting System (SCIRBS), collates statistical data on arrests by law enforcement agencies across South Carolina. According to the most recent data, 1,231 individuals were arrested in Dillon County in 2023. The most popular arrests were:

• Drug Law Violations: 209 arrests, accounting for approximately 16.97% of total arrests
• Simple Assault: 133 arrests, or about 10.8%
• Aggravated Assault: 116 arrests, roughly 9.42%, covering serious physical attacks or threats with a weapon
• Larceny Theft Offenses: 112 arrests, about 9.09%, encompassing various forms of theft, such as shoplifting and vehicle theft.

Find Dillon County Arrest Records

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division provides criminal background checks for all South Carolina counties. Individuals may request Dillon County arrest records from this office, as such records are also included in the office's criminal background check report. Interested persons may access these records online via the Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH) or by a mail-in request to:

SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398

Each record check on CATCH incurs a non-refundable fee of $25, payable by most major credit or debit cards. The same $25 fee applies for mail requests (unless the requester is a charitable organization), but that is payable by business check, certified/cashier’s check, or money order to SLED.

Members of the public can also request arrest records from local police agencies within Dillon.

Free Arrest Record Search in Dillon County

Individuals seeking Dillon County arrest records may conduct free searches on third-party public record websites. These websites collate and maintain public records, including arrest information from Dillon County, for public review. However, extensive access may require payment from the user.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Dillon County maintains arrest records for different lengths of time depending on the crime and the internal policies of the specific agency involved. The General Records Retention Schedules for County Records, consistent with South Carolina's Code of Regulations, Chapter 12, Article 5, specify the following maintenance periods:

• Criminal history records, which detail an individual's arrests, charges, and convictions, are kept until the person dies or turns 75, whichever occurs first.
• Records of juveniles arrested and processed by county law enforcement remain on file for three years after the individual turns 18, at which point they are destroyed.
• Booking reports, which document individuals arrested and processed by the sheriff's department, are kept for ten years before destruction.
• The sheriff's office's arrest cards are retained for five years, after which they are destroyed.
• Photographs of arrested individuals, known as mugshots, are kept until they are no longer useful or relevant.

Expunge Dillon County Arrest Records

Expungement in Dillon County allows individuals to seal or destroy certain arrest records, mitigating long-term consequences. South Carolina Code Annotated §17-22-910 permits expungement under specific conditions, such as when a person's charges were dismissed without a guilty plea or upon the successful completion of a diversion program. Records related to certain misdemeanor convictions can also be expunged after a waiting period.

The expungement process in Dillon involves applying to the Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, which serves Dillon, Chesterfield, Darlington, and Marlboro counties. Applications can be submitted online or in person at:

Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office
1033 Old Latta Highway
Suite C
P.O. Box 868
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: (843) 479-6516
Fax: (843) 774-4448

Fees vary by the expungement type, with a standard $250 administrative fee per order, a $25 SLED verification fee, and a $35 county court fee for most cases. Charges dismissed without a plea agreement are expunged free of charge. Eligible cases include:

• Charges dismissed, nolle prossed, or that resulted in not guilty verdicts (S.C. Code § 17-1-40).
• Completion of Pre-Trial Intervention, Traffic Education, or Alcohol Education programs (S.C. Code §§ 17-22-150, 17-22-330, 17-22-530).
• First-offense fraudulent check or simple possession of marijuana with a conditional discharge (S.C. Code §§ 34-11-90, 44-53-450).
• Certain misdemeanor convictions after three years or domestic violence convictions after five years, with no subsequent convictions (S.C. Code § 22-5-910).

Dillon County Arrest Warrants

Law enforcement agents in Dillon County often rely on arrest warrants to detain individuals suspected of committing crimes. Under Title 17, Chapter 13 of the South Carolina Code of Law, judges or magistrates can issue these warrants after examining probable cause affidavits.

Each warrant identifies the suspect, states the supposed offense, and directs officers (deputies, the sheriff, city police officers) to make the arrest. When carrying out a warrant arrest, officers are expected to deliver a copy of the warrant and affidavit to the accused individual. They must also explain the legal basis for the arrest, as failing to do so or giving false reasons may have criminal consequences.

Do Dillon County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Dillon County arrest warrants do not become invalid with time. They remain active until they are recalled by the court or executed by a law enforcement agency.