Sumter County Arrest Records

In Sumter County, when an officer makes an arrest, they document information about the arrestee, the event, and other related data. Such details make up an arrest record.

South Carolina Code of Laws Section 17-13-30 governs the arrest procedure. It authorizes law enforcement agents to make an arrest when they witness a crime or have reasonable cause to believe an individual has committed a crime. Such an arrest can be based on various forms of evidence, including witness statements, victim statements, or physical evidence.

The nature of the arrest can range from minor offenses and misdemeanors to more serious felonies, such as burglary, arson, rape, robbery, and possession of controlled substances. There are instances where a warrantless arrest is lawful, such as when the officer witnesses a crime. The County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency responsible for maintaining order. Following the South Carolina Code of Laws, the Sheriff’s office must grant the public access to Sumter County Court Records upon request.

Are Arrest Records Public in Sumter County?

Yes. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), contained in the South Carolina Code of Laws Section 30-4, entitles the public to access arrest records, subject to limitations. The broad right of access extends to records that are not sensitive or confidential. These sensitive records are restricted to the subject of the record and criminal justice agencies.

Section 30-4-40(3) of the South Carolina Code of Laws outlines scenarios where an arrest record may remain undisclosed. These include situations where disclosure would:

• Interfere with a prospective law enforcement proceeding
• Constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy
• Deprive an individual the right to a fair trial or impartial adjudication
• Compromise the identity of a confidential source
• Endanger someone's life or physical safety
• Disclose current law enforcement procedures
• Reveal the contents of intercepted electronic, oral, or wire communications not disclosed during a trial.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records are vital as they offer information about an arrest, including the charge leveled against the arrestee, the date of the arrest, and basic information about the arrestee. These records are also helpful for prosecutors when prosecuting the offender.

An arrest record typically contains the following:

• Personal details and physical description: This includes the full name, address, birth date, age, contact details, photograph, fingerprints, height, weight, race, eye color, hair color, and any identifiable marks like scars, tattoos, or birthmarks.
• Arrest information: Details such as the bail amount, arrest date and time, and the arresting officer or agency.
• Crime details: Information about filed criminal charges, the classification of the alleged crime (a felony or misdemeanor), and a description of the incident.
• Court details: This may include the next court date and the name of the court with jurisdiction over the case.

Sumter County Crime Rate

According to a 2020 report by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Sumter County experienced 3,201 recorded incidents, a 19.6% decline from the previous year. The index crimes recorded for the county in 2020 were 20 homicides, 41 counts of sexual battery, 77 robberies, and 839 aggravated assault cases. The non-violent property crimes include 27 arson cases, 238 motor vehicle thefts, 529 breaking and entering offenses, and 2,111 larceny thefts.

Comparing these figures with the 2019 Sumter County crime index, the homicides were 13, sexual battery offenses 36, robberies 83, aggravated assaults 694, arson 14, motor vehicle thefts 294, breaking and entering 768, and larceny thefts 2317InOn comparison with the reference data of 2020, several distinguishing trends are observed. There were changes in trends in the different crimes such as breaking and entering, robberies, motor vehicle theft, ft and larceny-theft. On the other hand, violent crimes and some property offenses, particularly homicide, aggravated assault, arson, and sexual battery, showed an increasing trend.

Sumter County Arrest Statistics

The incarceration rate in Sumter County has fluctuated in recent years. According to a Sumter County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) report, the detention center, which has a capacity for 560 inmates, houses an average of 246 inmates daily. Violent crime incarcerations have increased by 15%, from 166 per 100,000 in 2020 to 192 per 100,000 in 2021. Unsentenced detainees comprised 81% of the increase in the jail population from mid-2020 to mid-year 2021.

Find Sumter County Arrest Records

Interested individuals can access arrest records in Sumter County through various sources, including local and state agencies and third-party sources. Law enforcement agencies manage arrest records in Sumter County. Requesters should contact the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, being the primary law enforcement agency. For physical visits, requesters must provide important case information and pay applicable fees to the records division. Request forms can also be downloaded from the websites of some agencies and can be submitted by mail, in person, or through email.

Additionally, individuals can inquire with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for arrest records, which are also included in criminal background checks. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 is charged for a South Carolina criminal records check, and most major credit/debit cards are accepted. Additionally, there is a $1.00 convenience fee for online background searches, which does not apply to mail-in requests.

Free Arrest Record Search in Sumter County

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) tracks criminal activity and incidents within its jurisdiction, including records of arrests made by its agents and police reports submitted by the agency. Individuals who wish to acquire Sumter County arrest records may visit the Sheriff's Office's Police-to-Citizen website.

The SCSO Records Division also processes requests for these and other records containing restricted information. In addition, local police departments may also provide Sumter arrest records and police reports at city levels. Requesters should visit the office during business hours at:

Sumter County Sheriff's Office
1281 North Main Street,
Sumter, SC 29153
Phone: (803) 436-2000
Fax: (803) 436-2054

Get Sumter County Criminal Records

The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) section of the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains records of an individual's criminal history in Sumter County. Interested individuals may perform background checks by mail or online for $25, with an extra $1 convenience charge for online searches.

For mailed requests, requesters must fill out the Criminal Record Check Form and send a mail with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and fees to:

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

Alternatively, individuals can also perform a background check using the SLED Catch with the last name, first name, date of birth, and gender. Other information that may facilitate the search is the subject’s maiden name and social security number. A $25 search fee is associated with a $1 convenience fee. Eligible charitable organizations can pay a subsidized cost of $8 for the service.

Additionally, individuals can access Sumter County criminal case information online with the case search tool if the information or document is not exempted by law or court order. On the other hand, getting copies of criminal case records may require individuals to make in-person or mailed requests to the Sumter County Clerk of Court.

Sumter County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The terms “arrest record” and “criminal record” are often used interchangeably to describe official notations of an individual’s criminal past. However, there is a subtle difference between them. A criminal record indicates a person’s journey within the criminal justice system, from arrest to conviction. It takes in contributions from various criminal justice departments, including local and state law enforcement agencies, court systems, prosecutor’s offices, and correctional facilities. The Sheriff’s office is responsible for maintaining the arrest record. Typically, the record outlines the conduct that resulted in the subject's conviction, the penalties imposed, and any potential probation conditions.

An arrest record is a less detailed document maintained locally by arresting police and law enforcement agencies. Unlike a full criminal record, an arrest record is limited in scope and does not include subsequent legal proceedings such as court dispositions, trial outcomes, and sentencing information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The retention periods for original arrest records in Sumter County vary based on factors such as the type of crime and agency policies. As outlined in the General Records Retention Schedules for County Records, criminal records detailing an individual’s arrest history remain on file until the subject passes away or reaches the age of 75, whichever comes first. Afterwards, they may be destroyed.

Juvenile booking records are retained until three years after the individual is 18, when they are destroyed. Booking reports are kept for foten10 years, after which they are destroyed. The card system used to document arrests within the sheriff's office retains records for five years, after which they are destroyed. Photographs of arrested individuals are retained until they become obsolete or no longer hold value. Similar retention schedules exist for law enforcement agencies at the municipal level.

Expunge Sumter County Arrest Records

An arrest record does not necessarily imply guilt but can still affect public perception and opportunities for individuals. Individuals with questionable arrest records can have difficulty landing such opportunities when it comes to employment, housing, professional licensure, credit ratings, insurance, and other areas involving background checks.

To address this, South Carolina has established expungement laws to provide ex-offenders with a fresh start. Governed by the Uniform Expungement of Criminal Records Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910), these laws specify which records are eligible for expungement, typically minor or first-time offenses without subsequent convictions within specific timeframes.

Examples of qualifying offenses for expungement include:

• A first-offense misdemeanor conviction under the Fraudulent Check Law, given no additional criminal convictions within one year from the conviction date.
• Charges were dismissed following the completion of programs like Pretrial Intervention (PTI), Traffic Education (TEP), or Alcohol Education (AEP).
• First-offense drug possession charge with successful completion of conditional discharge.
• Conviction of charges with a maximum penalty of up to 30 days imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, provided no further convictions within three years from the conviction date (or five years for Domestic Violence 3rd Degree or Criminal Domestic Violence).
• First-offense conviction under the Youthful Offender Act, given no convictions within five years of completing the sentence, including probation and parole.
• First-offense misdemeanor conviction for Failure to Stop For Blue Lights, with no additional convictions within three years after completing the sentence.
• First-offense Possession with Intent to Distribute, provided no further convictions within twenty years of completing the sentence, including probation and parole.
• The first offense is simple possession of a controlled substance, given no other convictions within three years of completing the sentence, including probation and parole.
• Dismissed, nolle prosequi (not prosecuted), or no-billed charges, and not guilty verdicts.

To initiate the expungement process, individuals must apply to the solicitor’s office in the judicial circuit where the arrest was made. There, they would get the necessary forms and guidance from the office or website. Administrative fees apply, amounting to $310; however, for specific outcomes, expungement is free.

Sumter County Arrest Warrants

According to §17-13-160 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, an arrest warrant is a legal instrument that permits law enforcement personnel to detain, hold, and investigate a person for a criminal act as Authorized per Section 40-18-110.

The law prescribes that only a magistrate or judge can issue an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant in Sumter County cannot be issued unless a law enforcement official acting in their capacity requests the arrest of the person being investigated. The court must issue a "courteous summons" if someone other than a law enforcement official requests an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant typically contains the following information:

• The accusations leveled against the accused;
• The trial's date, time, and location;
• The issuing officer's name;
• The name, address, and phone number of the affiant and defendant;
• The incident's date and location, and

Sumter County Arrest Warrant Search

One of the most reliable ways to learn about outstanding warrants in Sumter County is to visit the courts. The courts maintain judicial records relevant to court proceedings within the County, including court dockets and information about arrest and bench warrants.

Residents can also contact warrant officers within the police department to find out about any outstanding warrants. Depending on the severity of the offense specified, the warrant officer may provide information about the status of an individual's warrant. For misdemeanors, warrant information is readily available via phone; however, for felonies, the warrant officer may withhold information and advice the subject to appear in person at the department.

Additionally, the county sheriff's office and police department maintain online databases that people can use to enter their full name to check if they are the subject of an active arrest warrant. These portals will provide details regarding the alleged offenses and the duration of the warrant's validity.

Alternatively, independent third-party websites can be utilized for a warrant search. Keep in mind that these services may charge a fee for specific information. The advantage of using third-party sites is that they often cover multiple counties and cities in one search, although the cost varies between websites. Like official government platforms, most independent providers require the full name when conducting an inquiry.

Do Sumter County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants are valid for life in Sumter County. Law enforcement controls when such warrants should be served. Typically, arrest warrants should be executed without delay, but no fixed time limit exists.