Lexington County Arrest Records

Lexington County, South Carolina arrest records are essential components of the criminal justice system. They document the details of an arrest, including the arrestee's personal information, the nature of the alleged offense, and the date and location of the arrest. Law enforcement agencies, courts, and other criminal justice entities use these records to track an individual’s criminal history. The agency responsible for generating arrest records in Lexington County is the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

These records are a crucial subset of the broader Lexington County Court Records, including information on criminal charges, court proceedings, and case dispositions. Arrest records can serve as a basis for further legal actions and are often referenced in court documents and proceedings.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Office generates and maintains arrest records in Lexington County. Arrests are made when law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe that a person committed a crime. This can happen through witnessing the crime, gathering evidence, or receiving a warrant issued by a judge.

Persons arrested in Lexington County are typically held at the Lexington County Detention Center. This facility is responsible for confining inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The location and contact information of the detention center are below:

Lexington County Detention Center
521 Gibson Road
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-2740

Multiple law enforcement agencies in the county generate arrest records or police reports regarding incidents in their city or town. These law enforcement agencies include:

• Lexington Police Department
• Batesburg-Leesville Police Department
• Cayce Police Department
• Chapin Police Department
• Gaston Police Department
• Gilbert Police Department
• Irmo Police Department
  Pelion Police Department
• Pine Ridge Police Department
• South Congaree Police Department
• Springdale Police Department
• Swansea Police Department
• West Columbia Police Department

In relation to other public records, arrest records are part of the public domain and can be accessed by citizens. They are interconnected with other records, like court records, which provide detailed accounts of the judicial process following an arrest. This includes case filings, trial transcripts, and final judgments, all of which are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of an individual's interactions with the legal system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lexington County?

By the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Lexington County arrest records are generally considered public information. This means that members of the public have the right to access arrest records, subject to certain limitations and exemptions outlined in state law.

There are exceptions to this rule, and not all arrest information may be accessible to the public. For example, juvenile arrest records are typically confidential and may not be readily available to the public. Additionally, certain sensitive information, such as details related to ongoing investigations or records sealed by court order, may also be exempt from public disclosure.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records contain various information related to an individual’s arrest, including:

• Personal information - name, age, date of birth, gender, race, and address of the individual arrested.
• Arrest details - the arrest date, time, and location and the arresting officer’s name and badge number.
• Offense information - description of the alleged offense or charges and the statute violated.
• Booking information - the booking date and time, the location of the booking facility, and the booking number assigned to the individual.
• Bond information (if any) - information about bail or bond set for the individual, including the amount and conditions of release.
• Court information - information about upcoming court appearances, including the date, time, and location of the court proceedings.
• Disposition - information regarding the case resolution, such as whether the individual was released, pleaded guilty or went to trial.

Lexington County Crime Rate

Based on the 2022 Crime Report of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the most prevalent crimes in Lexington County were larceny, breaking and entering, and aggravated assault. Larceny topped the list with 5,880 reported incidents, making it the most common crime in the county. Breaking and entering followed with 1,137 cases, indicating a significant number of property-related offenses. Aggravated assault was also notably high, with 1,008 incidents reported.

Motor vehicle theft was another frequent crime, with 996 cases. Other notable crimes included robbery (110 incidents), arson (26 incidents), sexual battery (100 incidents), and murder (18 incidents). These statistics highlight a higher incidence of property crimes compared to violent crimes in Lexington County.

Lexington County Arrest Statistics

According to the 2022 Crime Report of SLED, Lexington County, with a population of 304,797, saw significant law enforcement activity. Arrests for larceny were the highest, with 860 individuals taken into custody. Aggravated assault followed, with 380 arrests. There were 161 arrests for breaking and entering, 56 for motor vehicle theft, and 37 for robbery. Serious crimes like murder led to 14 arrests, while 26 arrests were made for sexual battery and eight for arson.

Find Lexington County Arrest Records

To find Lexington County arrest records and look up inmates, residents may use any of the county, state, or federal resources below:

• Lexington County Inmate Search: The Sheriff’s Department uses this tool to provide the general public with access to inmate information. This tool allows you to search for inmates held at the Lexington County Detention Center by entering their name or booking number.
• South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) Inmate Search: This is a search provided by the SCDC for the public to find information on inmates currently incarcerated in state prisons. Users can search by the inmate’s name or number to obtain details about their arrest, charges, and sentence.
• Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator: This can be used to find inmates incarcerated in federal prisons by searching their names. The tool provides information on the inmate’s location, release date, and other relevant information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Lexington County

Official government websites provide free access to arrest records in Lexington County. These official government websites include:

• Lexington County Inmate Search
• SCDC Inmate Search
• BOP Inmate Locator

Third-party free sites are also an option. However, note that while third-party sites provide access to a wide range of public records, their information may not always be as up-to-date or accurate as official government sources. It is advisable to cross-check any information obtained from these sites with official records to ensure its accuracy.

Get Lexington County Criminal Records

Lexington County criminal records provide a detailed account of an individual’s criminal activities in the county. They contain arrest records, charges, court proceedings, detentions, convictions, prosecution, sentencing, and details of the correctional institution holding the individual.

Lexington County criminal records are accessible online using the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) portal. Interested persons can search the portal using the subject’s last name, first name, and date of birth. Also record seekers can also search the portal using their Social Security Number.

Alternatively, Lexington County criminal records can be requested by mail. Complete the Criminal Record Check Form and include a self-addressed stamped envelope and valid photo identification card. It costs $25. There is an extra $1 convenience fee for online background searches for online searchers. The accepted payment methods are business checks, certified checks, or money orders only. Mail the requests should be submitted to:

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

Lexington County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records provide information about an individual’s interaction with law enforcement during their arrest. They include details such as the date, time, and location of the arrest, the name and identifying information of the arrested individual, the charges or offenses for which they were arrested, and information about the arresting officer. Arrest records are created when law enforcement takes someone into custody but may not necessarily indicate guilt. They are maintained by law enforcement agencies alone.

In contrast, criminal records provide a more comprehensive overview of an individual’s involvement with the criminal justice system beyond just arrests. These records contain information about an individual’s criminal history, including arrests, charges, court proceedings, convictions, and any resulting sentences or dispositions.

Criminal records encompass a broader range of criminal history information, including both misdemeanors and felonies and provide a more complete picture of an individual’s criminal background. Law enforcement agencies, courts, and other criminal justice entities typically maintain such records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In South Carolina, arrests remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless they are expunged. The eligibility to expunge an arrest record depends on several factors, including the nature of the offense and the case outcome. Generally, if charges are dismissed, the individual is found not guilty, or certain conditions are met (such as completion of a diversion program), the individual may be eligible to petition for expungement. Otherwise, the arrest record will be a permanent part of the individual's criminal history. Without expungement, these records do not automatically get removed and remain part of an individual's criminal history.

Expunge Lexington County Arrest Records

Expunging arrest records in Lexington County involves a legal process where eligible records are removed from public view. The South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 17, Chapter 22 provides specific conditions that must be met for arrest records to be eligible for expungement and the process for expungement.

The eligibility requirements are below:

• If the charges were dismissed or the individual was found not guilty.
• Certain first-offense misdemeanor convictions after a specified period of good behavior.
• Individuals convicted under the Youthful Offender Act (YOA) after completing their sentence and remaining crime-free for five years.
• Successful completion of a Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) Program.
• Certain drug possession offenses upon successful completion of probation under a conditional discharge.

Persons who meet the eligibility requirement can apply for their arrest record to be expunged using the steps below:

• Obtain the Expungement Application Form from the Lexington County Clerk of Court or the Eleventh Judicial District Solicitor’s Office.
• Fill out the application forms with accurate details about the arrest and the case.
• Gather any required supporting documents, such as proof of dismissal, not guilty verdict, or completion of diversion programs.
• Submit the completed application along with supporting documents to the appropriate office to the Solicitor’s Office.
• Pay the applicable fees associated with the expungement process. The fees vary depending on the type of expungement being sought.
• The Solicitor’s Office will review the application to ensure eligibility criteria are met. They may also consult with law enforcement agencies involved in the original arrest.
• If the application is approved, a court order will be issued to expunge the records. This order directs law enforcement agencies to remove the arrest information from their records.
• Once the court order is issued, the individual will be notified that their records have been expunged.

Lexington County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest an individual suspected of committing a crime. An arrest warrant serves to ensure that arrests are made based on probable cause and legal authority.

An arrest warrant is issued when:

• The requesting law enforcement officer(s) or prosecutor(s) presents evidence to a judge or magistrate demonstrating probable cause that a crime has been committed and that the suspect is responsible.
• Submit an affidavit outlining the facts and evidence supporting the request for an arrest warrant.
• The judge or magistrate reviews the affidavit and any supporting evidence and determines there is sufficient probable cause.

An arrest warrant may be issued under various circumstances, including where:

• Felony offenses are committed to prevent further harm or flight risk.
• In certain misdemeanor offenses if the suspect poses a danger to the community or has a history of failing to appear in court.
• Individuals fail to appear in court as required for previous charges or citations.
• Law enforcement requests warrants to arrest suspects identified through ongoing investigations.

An arrest warrant typically includes the following information:

• The suspect’s information - Full name, physical description, and any known aliases of the suspect.
• Description of the crime - Details of the alleged offense, including the specific crime committed and the evidence supporting the allegation.
• Issuing authority - the name and signature of the judge or magistrate issuing the warrant.
• Date of issuance
• Arrest instructions - directions to law enforcement officers on how to carry out the arrest, including any special considerations or conditions.

Lexington County Arrest Warrant Search

The Warrant Division of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is the custodian division for warrants, subpoenas, and civil papers throughout the county. You can find active warrants by contacting the division at (803) 785-2499

Do Lexington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Lexington County, arrest warrants generally do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until the issuing court executes them, recalls them, or cancels them.