Laurens County Arrest Records

In Laurens County, law enforcement agencies create arrest records as evidence that a suspect has been apprehended and taken into custody by the authorities based on reasonable belief that they have committed a crime or civil offense. Arrest records are vital evidence in criminal prosecution as police officers or the arresting officer may witness the crime and the crime scene and record all the initial details about the scene of the arrest, charges, and all other interactions ensuing from the arrest.

The Laurens County Sheriff's Office is the repository for arrest records in the county. Local police departments, state and county correctional facilities, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division also file arrest information. Arrest information may also be featured within Laurens County Court Records if relevant to the judicial process. By law, arrest records are public business, which helps ensure accountability and transparency in the conduct of law enforcement agencies.

Are Arrest Records Public in Laurens County?

Yes. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act guarantees and codifies individuals' rights to inspect, copy, and request all papers, books, photographs, recordings, maps, or other forms of documents made, owned, used by, or in the custody of a public body. According to the act, a public body is any department of the state, board, commission, authority, public or governmental body, including counties, municipalities, school districts, and agencies.

By the definition in the South Carolina FOIA, it is correct to infer that law enforcement agencies within the state, like the Laurens County Sheriff's Office and all city/town/university police departments, are public bodies. Thus, all arrest records made, owned, used by, or in the custody of these agencies must be made reasonably available to the public upon request.

Section 30-4-40 lists records exempt from disclosure. Records that are restricted from disclosure, sealed, or expunged by statute or court order may only be accessible to persons authorized by law or who can prove legitimate interest in such records.

With respect to Section 30-4-40 of the South Carolina FOIA, law enforcement agencies and other government bodies in Laurens County may exempt the following information from disclosure:

• Personal information where such disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy
• Law enforcement records where such disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings or deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication.
• The identity of a confidential source
• Law enforcement records where such disclosure would reveal investigation or prosecution techniques and strategies
• Matters specifically exempt from disclosure by law or statute.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Researchers in Lauren County can expect to find the following information in public arrest records:

• Subject's Biodata: Full name, age, gender, date of birth, age, and photograph (mugshot).
• Physical description: Race, sex, height, weight, hair and eye color, visible scars, and tattoos.
• Arrest and Booking Information: City of arrest, booking number, booking officer, booking date and time, arresting agency and officer, arrest time and date.
• Charge, description of the charge, charge type, charge level.
• Bond information (including amounts, bond type, bail terms, etc.)
• Active warrants (if any).

Laurens County Arrest Statistics

According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Annual Crime Statistics, in 2023, Laurens County law enforcement agencies recorded a total of 3,551 arrests. These numbers indicate a 13.4 percent increase from the previous year, with 3,131 recorded arrests. On the statewide crime trends, Laurens County experienced a 27.29 percent decrease in property crime rates, which was reported as one of the five greatest decreases in property crime rates in 2023. The most widespread crimes in Laurens County in 2023 were:

• Drug Law Violations - 573 arrests
• Disorderly Conduct - 337 arrests
• Driving Under the Influence - 334 arrests
• Simple Assault - 265 arrests
• Larceny - 189 arrests
• Weapon Law Violations - 148 arrests
• Aggravated Assault - 114 arrests
• Trespass of Real Property - 103 arrests
• Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property - 92 arrests
• Burglary/Breaking & Entering - 85 arrests.

Find Laurens County Arrest Records

In accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, people living in Laurens County have and can exercise their right to view, inspect, and retrieve copies of government documents created in the execution of duty. The Laurens County Sheriff's Office, Police Departments, and the South Carolina Department of Corrections are under legal obligation to make their arrest and incident reports publicly available (with the exception of confidential and non-disclosure information)

Members of the public can access information about inmates confined in the Johnson Detention Center through the Sheriff's Office Inmate Search site. Searchers may find detailed inmate records using their names, race, sex, and arrest/incarceration dates. The Laurens County Sheriff's Office also publishes articles on recent arrests with brief reports of the incident and the identity of the suspect. Finally, residents may also contact or visit the Sheriff's Office during its official hours to request or inspect copies of police records.

Laurens County Sheriff's Office
216 West Main Street
Laurens, SC 29360
Phone: (864) 984-4967

For information on inmates in state prisons and correctional facilities, the South Carolina Department of Corrections Incarcerated Inmate Search site houses inmate data of all persons incarcerated in any of the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) facilities. However, the information available on this site is limited to current or previous inmates in state custody. It does not include records of offenders in the custody of local or federal authorities. It also does not provide public information on juvenile offenders and offenders under supervision (parole, probation, community service).

Free Arrest Record Search in Laurens County

There are several free resources for searching arrest records in Laurens County, and here are a few that are convenient and easily accessible: The Laurens County Sheriff's Office website often releases articles on recent arrests; it also has a free crime map and inmate locator. The next is using public terminals in government offices like county courthouses or the Sheriff's record division. Criminal case court records contain sufficient arrest information and even more details on whether or not the accused person was sentenced or cleared of the charges. Individuals can walk into the court clerk's office or the sheriff's office to make inquiries on the search or request procedure to access arrest or court records.

It may be interesting to know that official custodians are not the beginning and end of resources available to researchers. Third-party arrest records search sites are privately owned and do not require physical visits or written mail to access them. Arrest records are available online and can be purchased from anywhere in or out of South Carolina. Although they are not free, researchers can opt for payment plans.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Unless an arrest record is expunged or sealed by court order, it shall remain in the public information. Under the law in South Carolina, an individual may apply to have records of arrests, charges, or convictions sealed or expunged. Sealed records are non-disclosure records and may only be used for law enforcement purposes (with limitations). They can only be disclosed by court order. However, for charges dismissed after 2009, the expungement may be automatic in most cases. If the charges were dismissed pre-2009, the subject of the record must apply for an order of expungement.

Expunge Laurens County Arrest Records

The law guiding the expungement of criminal records, S.C. Code § 22-5-910, equally applies to the expungement of non-conviction records, such as cases where no offenses were charged, or the charges were dismissed, discharged, or nolle prossed, and persons found not guilty. After three years (for misdemeanor offenses) or five years (felony offenses) from the date the changes were dismissed, the state prosecutor entered nolle prosequi, pr the defendant was discharged, found not guilty, or from the date of the arrest, whichever comes later, the defendant may apply to the circuit court in the city or county where he was tried for an order expunging the records of the arrest and any associated records or bench warrant. This, however, does not apply to an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle.

Suppose the court certifies that the defendant has no other convictions in or out of South Carolina during the three—or five-year period. In that case, the Circuit Court may issue an order expunging the records, related records, and bench warrants. The petition will be refused if the person has any other pending criminal charges of any kind unless it has been pending for over five years (the five years will not include the time the defendant has been under a bench warrant for failure to appear).

When an order for expungement is issued, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division keeps a nonpublic record of the offense and the date of the expungement to ensure that individuals do not attempt to expunge another record pursuant to this section more than once. The copy of the records kept by the SLED is not subject to mandatory disclosure (S.C. Code § 34-11-95) except to those authorized by law or court officials.

Laurens County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants issued in South Carolina are legal documents issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing a law enforcement officer or police officer to arrest a named individual suspected of committing a crime. They are issued based on complaints evidencing probable cause supported by an affidavit and oath taken before the magistrate, municipal judicial officer, or judge of a court of record establishing the grounds for the warrant. A warrant may be directed to any peace officer having jurisdiction in the county of issuance (in this case, Laurens County) and members of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (S.C. Code § 17-13-140).

Do Laurens County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In South Carolina, arrest warrants do not expire. However, they have to be executed and returned in a timely manner. The law prescribes that search warrants be executed and returned within ten days from the day they are issued. If a person has been charged with a crime and a warrant has been issued for their arrest, they can contact an attorney for help and legal advice. An arrest warrant can be resolved; every person is innocent until proven guilty.