Edgefield County Arrest Records

Edgefield County arrest records contain information about individuals apprehended by law enforcement agencies in Edgefield County, South Carolina. They are created by the County Sheriff’s Office or local police departments after an individual has been apprehended and detained.

Arrests become necessary when a person has an active warrant in their name, is suspected of criminal offenses, or when police officers deem it necessary under law.

The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of the county’s arrest records and is responsible for generating and maintaining these records. Local police departments, such as those in Johnston or Trenton, may also create records for arrests within their jurisdictions.

A person’s Edgefield County arrest record is part of their criminal history information. The record only indicates the person was arrested but provides no information on their conviction or apprehensions outside county limits.

Edgefield County arrest records, while independent, may also be part of Edgefield County court records and criminal history records from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

Are Arrest Records Public in Edgefield County?

Yes, Arrest records are public in Edgefield County under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Under this law, any individual can access arrest records held by the county’s law enforcement agencies. However, the law allows restrictions on certain records or portions thereof.

Per Section 30-4-40(3) of the South Carolina FOIA, a confidential informant’s identity, any information whose release could endanger safety, or records that could compromise active investigations are exempt from disclosure. Other restricted information includes sealed or expunged arrest records, intercepted communications not revealed in a trial, and any record that could constitute an invasion of privacy.

Under the law, exempt records are only available to the record’s subject or authorized parties, such as law enforcement agencies. The public may only access non-public arrest records by pursuing a subpoena duces tecum.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public Edgefield County arrest record typically contains the following information:

• The full name and any aliases of the arrested individual
• The date and time of the arrest
• Information on the alleged offense, including the type of crime
• The arresting agency
• Booking details, such as photographs (mug shots) and fingerprints
• Custody status
• Bail or bond conditions, if applicable.

Edgefield County Arrest Statistics

According to the 2023 South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Annual Crime Report, Edgefield County recorded 624 arrests in 2023, a 1% increase from 618 in 2022. The most common crimes leading to arrests in 2023 were:

• All other offenses: 214 arrests (+65.9%)
• Drug law violations: 143 arrests (-35.9%)
• DUI: 93 arrests (+5.7%)
• Simple assault: 37 arrests (-5.1%)
• Liquor law violations: 25 arrests (+19.0%)
• Weapon law violations: 22 arrests (+15.8%)
• Disorderly conduct: 19 arrests (-11.8%).

Find Edgefield County Arrest Records

Edgefield County arrest records are available to persons who request them from the Edgefield County Sheriff's Office. Requests may be addressed to:

Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office
200 Railroad Street
Edgefield, SC 29824
Phone: (803) 637-5337
Email: Sheriff@ecso.sc.gov.

Additionally, if the arrest was made within a specific jurisdiction, individuals can request these records from the relevant police department. For example, requests to the Johnston or the Trenton Police Departments may be addressed thus:

Johnston Police Department
500 Mims Avenue
Johnston, SC 29832
Phone: (803) 275-2488

Trenton Police Department
106 Church Street
Trenton, SC 29847
Phone: (803) 275-4840

For state-wide searches, interested persons can use the SLED "CATCH Portal" to perform a name-based search to obtain criminal records (which include arrest records). This service costs $25 per subject, payable by credit card. Alternatively, inquirers may use the "Inmate Search Tool" of the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) to find information on individuals incarcerated in state correctional facilities.

Free Arrest Record Search in Edgefield County

To conduct a free arrest records search in Edgefield County, interested individuals may contact the Edgefield County Sheriff's Office or a local police department. They may also utilize the SCDC's "Inmate Search Tool" to find inmates in state facilities at no charge. Please note that while inspection may be free, fees could apply for the duplication of these records.

Alternatively, individuals interested in free searches of Edgefield County arrest records may utilize third-party aggregate websites. These sites compile public records, including arrest records, and provide public access through their searchable databases. However, since these sites operate independently of any law enforcement agency, the accuracy, volume, and reliability of arrest information from them cannot be guaranteed.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In South Carolina, the length of time that arrest records are kept on file depends on the type of record and is determined by the General Records Retention Schedules for County Records. The schedule for different record types is as follows:

• Criminal history records are held until the individual dies or reaches age 75, whichever occurs first
• Juvenile booking records stay on record until three years after the person turns 18, then they are destroyed
• Booking reports are kept for 10 years
• Arrest cards are kept for five years
• Mug shots are kept until they are deemed obsolete.

Note: While most South Carolina public agencies set their retention schedules within these timelines, others may have their retention policies, which may not be within the timelines above.

Expunge Edgefield County Arrest Records

South Carolina’s Uniform Expungement of Criminal Records Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910) and S.C. Code Ann. § 17-1-40 allow individuals with arrest records in Edgefield County to remove, erase, or restrict their arrest records from public disclosure. However, this is only possible for qualifying arrest records.

Eligible arrest records include those of minor or first-time offenses, such as:

• Dismissed or non-conviction cases
• Arrests whose charges were dismissed after completing programs like Pretrial Intervention (PTI), Traffic Education (TEP), or Alcohol Education (AEP)
• First-offense misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of 30 days imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000, or both, with no other convictions occurring within three years of the conviction date (S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910)
• First-offense simple possession of a controlled substance with no other convictions within three years of completing the sentence, including probation and parole

The steps to expunge a qualifying Edgefield County arrest record are as follows:

• The arrestee determines if their arrest or conviction is eligible for expunction.
• The arrestee requests an expungement application form from the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
• The arrestee submits the completed application to the solicitor’s office, paying the standard administrative fee and additional fees, such as the $35 clerk of court fee and a $25 SLED fee. For not-guilty verdicts or dismissed charges, expungement is free under § 17-1-40.
• The solicitor’s office reviews the application, and if needed, a hearing is scheduled where the applicant can defend their request before a judge.
• The court issues an expungement order if it approves the application. Per S.C. Code Ann. § 17-1-40, expunged records are destroyed or sealed, with access restricted to court orders for limited purposes.

Edgefield County Arrest Warrants

An Edgefield County arrest warrant is a legal instrument giving law enforcement officers the authority to apprehend, detain, and investigate a person for criminal acts. Only judges or magistrates issue arrest warrants, per §17-13-160 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.

The process of obtaining an Edgefield County arrest warrant begins when a law enforcement officer submits an affidavit to a judge with evidence (probable cause) suggesting or establishing the need for an arrest.

In South Carolina, if an arrest warrant is requested by someone other than a law enforcement officer, the court typically issues a courtesy summons instead. A courtesy summons is an order that directs the accused person to appear before the court.

An Edgefield County arrest warrant includes the following:

• The full name of the accused or descriptions that can help identify them
• The alleged offense or charges
• The warrant issue date and time
• The name and signature of the issuing judge or magistrate.

Note: Interested parties should contact the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office or the county clerk of court to obtain information on active Edgefield County arrest warrants.

Do Edgefield County Arrest Warrants Expire

No, Edgefield County arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active once issued until the person named in the warrant is arrested, passes away, or the court cancels or recalls it. However, factors exist that may affect the validity and execution of an arrest warrant. These include the availability of law enforcement resources and priority, the location of the warrant subject (as it can only be executed within the appropriate jurisdiction), and the emergence of new evidence that exonerates the alleged.