Richland County Circuit Court Case Search

Richland County does not have a Superior Court because the South Carolina State Constitution establishes a Circuit Court and a Family Court as the trial courts for each county instead of the Superior Court.

The Richland County Circuit Court Records and Family Court records are retained case files originating from the legal proceedings of these courts. While the content of these case files varies, it typically includes exhibits, pleadings, motions, court orders, judgments, transcripts, affidavits, witness statements, summons and subpoenas, jury instructions, sentencing documents, and other case-related materials permanently stored in the clerk's record depository.

Unless restricted by statute or court order, the Richland County Circuit Court records are typically open for public inspection. They serve as a useful resource for staying informed about courtroom activities and any modification to the rights of the County's residents.

What Kinds of cases have been heard in Richland County Circuit Court?

The Richland County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction, allowing it to handle most civil and criminal cases, with the exception of domestic and juvenile matters and other cases within the specific jurisdiction of the municipal or county courts. The Court handles probate matters, including wills, guardianship, estate matters, and adoption proceedings; juvenile dependency; contract disputes and claims for damages; and criminal trials for felonies, misdemeanors, and minor infractions.

The Family Court has original jurisdiction over marital disputes, including divorce, legal separation, annulment, alimony, child support, domestic and dating violence, civil protection orders, and conciliation.

Richland County Circuit Court

Both the Richland County Circuit Court and Family Court serve as the trial courts for Richland County, handling civil and criminal cases, as well as domestic relations and Juvenile matters. While these courts are legally regarded as distinct, they share one court clerk. The Clerk of Court’s office is divided into two areas: the Circuit Court and Family Court. The Clerk’s office had the duty of maintaining case files, issuing court documents, and overseeing the administration of the courts.

The Court has divisions, including a civil court, the Court of Common Pleas, and a criminal court, the Court of General Sessions. The Circuit Court has limited appellate jurisdiction over appeals from the Probate Court, Magistrate Court, and Municipal Court. The Courts serve as an avenue for residents to access free and fair trials and amicable dispute resolution.
The Circuit Court and Family Court are located at these addresses:

Richland County Circuit Court
Richland County Judicial Center
1701 Main Street, Room 205, P.O. Box 2766, Columbia, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 576-1950
Fax: (803) 576-1785

Richland County Family Court
Richland County Judicial Center
1701 Main Street, Room 205, P.O. Box 2766, Columbia, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 576-1950
Fax: (803) 576-1785

Richland County Case Lookup

For convenience, both the Circuit Court and Family Court records have been made available on the Clerk of Court Public Court Records Search portal. Available records include civil, criminal, and family court cases. Alternatively, individuals can look up case information using the South Carolina Judicial Department website. To do this:

• Visit the website and click the three dashes on the upper right corner to open the menu options
• Navigate to and click "QuickLinks".
• The user will be prompted with a list of options.
• Depending on the interested Court, select either "Court Records-Family Court" or "Court Records-Trial".
• Trial court record seekers should scroll to the bottom of the page to select Richland County from the range of county options.
• Family Court record seekers should read and agree to the terms
• Once done, they will be prompted with an electronic form.
• Complete the form appropriately and click on search to run a query.

Richland Circuit Court Case Search by Name

Given the impressive number of case files the clerk of court receives for storage weekly, the clerk typically indexes records into depository using key details like the case number, a party name, citation, and filing date. This facilitates easy referencing and identification. Consequently, individuals requesting to inspect specific case files, whether online or in person, will need to provide one of these keywords, typically a party name or the case number. Without this information, conducting a record search typically becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming. Additionally, it is crucial to provide accurate information. Even the slightest error can affect search results.

Richland Circuit Court Docket Search

Court dockets are schedules of legal proceedings to be heard in a court within a specific timeline. It tracks the activities in each proceeding, frequently updating as new documents are filed and court orders are amended. Litigants, attorneys, and interested third parties typically rely on the court docket to keep pace with courtroom activities, including proceedings to be heard and the date and time of the hearing.

To access both the Circuit and Family Court docket/calendar:

• Visit the South Carolina Judicial Department website
• Open the menu button and click "Calendars".

Lookup Richland County Circuit Court Online

The Richland County Clerk of Court Public Court Records Search Portal and the South Carolina Judicial Department website serve as the official platforms, providing remote access to Circuit Court and Family Court case information. Additionally, several other websites, such as Southcarolinacourtrecords.us, may provide direct access to these records. However, third-party sites operate independently of government agencies and cannot be relied on to provide accurate or updated information. As such, it is crucial always to vet the information obtained and compare it with official sources.

Supreme Court vs. Circuit Court

Within the South Carolina judicial system, the Circuit Court and Family Court, which include both the Circuit and Family Courts in Richland County, serve distinct functions from the Supreme Court. The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction. It handles a wide range of cases, including civil disputes, criminal prosecutions, probate matters, and family law cases. The court conducts trials, hears evidence, and issues rulings based on state law. If a party is dissatisfied with the outcome, they may appeal to a higher court.

On the other hand, the South Carolina Supreme Court is the state’s highest appellate court. It reviews cases from lower appellate courts and focuses on constitutional and statutory interpretations rather than fact-finding. The court ensures that state laws are applied correctly. Unlike trial courts, the Supreme Court does not conduct trials or hear witness testimony.