Florence County Public Records / Florence County Arrest Records

Florence County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Florence County

Arrest records in Florence County, South Carolina are considered public records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10). This statute establishes the public's right to access government records, including those related to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains the central repository of criminal history information for the state, including arrest records from Florence County.

It is important to distinguish between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. A conviction record, by contrast, indicates that the individual was found guilty of the crime in a court of law. Under South Carolina law, both arrest and conviction records are generally accessible to the public, though certain exceptions may apply.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's Criminal Records policy governs the dissemination of arrest records throughout the state, including Florence County. While most arrest records are public, certain records may be restricted if they:

Relate to an ongoing investigation
Involve juvenile offenders
Have been expunged by court order
Are subject to other statutory exemptions

What's in Florence County Arrest Records

Florence County arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records typically include the following categories of information:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Gender
Race/ethnicity
Home address
Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
Fingerprints
Photograph (mugshot)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Circumstances leading to arrest
Use of force information (if applicable)

Charge Information:

Criminal charges filed
Statute/ordinance numbers violated
Charge classification (misdemeanor or felony)
Charge severity level

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number
Issuing authority
Date issued
Warrant type (arrest, bench, search)

Booking Information:

Booking date and time
Booking number
Processing officer
Personal property inventory

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond amount
Bond type
Bond status (posted, denied, etc.)
Conditions of release

Court Information:

Court of jurisdiction
Case number
Scheduled court appearances
Judge assigned

Custody Status:

Current detention status
Facility of incarceration (if applicable)
Release date (if applicable)

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history
Known aliases
Emergency contact information
Medical alerts or special needs
Immigration status
Probation/parole status

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Florence County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Florence County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The Florence County Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests made by their deputies, while municipal police departments maintain their own arrest records.

To request arrest records in person:

Visit the Florence County Sheriff's Office Records Division.

Florence County Sheriff's Office
6719 Friendfield Road
Effingham, SC 29541
843-665-2121
Florence County Sheriff's Office

Complete a records request form, providing as much identifying information as possible about the subject of the search.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay any applicable fees (typically $10-25 per record).
Allow 5-10 business days for processing.

To request arrest records by mail:

Download and complete the records request form from the Florence County Sheriff's Office website.
Include a copy of your government-issued photo identification.
Enclose a check or money order for the applicable fee.
Mail the request to the Florence County Sheriff's Office Records Division.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.

For arrests made by municipal police departments within Florence County, contact the specific agency directly:

Florence Police Department
180 N. Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
843-665-3191
Florence Police Department

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, government agencies must respond to records requests within 10 business days, either by providing the records, providing a timeline for their production, or denying the request with a specific legal basis.

How To Find Florence County Arrest Records Online

Florence County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. These electronic systems offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though they may not contain complete historical records.

The primary online resources include:

Florence County Detention Center Inmate Search The Florence County Detention Center maintains an online database of current inmates. This resource provides basic information about individuals currently in custody, including charges and bond amounts. The database is updated daily and can be accessed through the Florence County Sheriff's Office website.
South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a statewide Public Index that includes criminal case information for Florence County. While this system does not contain arrest records specifically, it provides information about criminal charges filed in court following arrests.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Criminal Records Check SLED provides an online system for requesting criminal history information, including arrest records. This service requires payment of a fee and can be accessed through the SLED website.

When searching for arrest records online, users should be prepared to provide:

The subject's full legal name
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Case number (if known)

Online systems may not contain complete historical records, particularly for arrests that occurred before digital recordkeeping was implemented. Additionally, expunged records will not appear in online databases.

How To Search Florence County Arrest Records for Free?

Several options exist for members of the public to access Florence County arrest records without payment:

Florence County Detention Center Current Inmate List The Florence County Sheriff's Office maintains a free online database of current inmates at the detention center. This resource is available at no cost through the Florence County Sheriff's Office website.
Public Access Terminals The Florence County Clerk of Court's Office provides public access terminals where visitors can search court records related to criminal cases at no charge.

Florence County Clerk of Court
180 N. Irby Street, Room 104
Florence, SC 29501
843-665-3031
Florence County Clerk of Court

Local Newspaper Police Blotters Local newspapers often publish police blotters that include recent arrest information. These may be available online or in print editions at public libraries.
Public Records Request Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30), citizens may request to inspect public records during normal business hours without charge. While inspection is free, copying fees may apply if you need physical copies of the records.
Florence County Public Library The public library may maintain archives of local newspapers that contain arrest information and may provide free access to certain online resources.

Florence County Library
509 S. Dargan Street
Florence, SC 29506
843-662-8424
Florence County Library

When utilizing free resources, be aware that information may be limited or not as current as records obtained through official channels with associated fees.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Florence County

In South Carolina, including Florence County, individuals may petition for expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910. Expungement is the legal process of removing an arrest record from public access, while record sealing restricts access to certain authorized entities.

Eligibility for expungement in Florence County typically includes:

Charges that were dismissed, nolle prossed (not prosecuted), or resulted in not guilty verdicts
First-offense convictions for certain minor crimes after completion of sentence and a waiting period
Successful completion of pre-trial intervention, alcohol education, or drug court programs
First-offense simple possession of marijuana or other qualified drug offenses after three years

The expungement process involves:

Obtaining and completing the appropriate expungement application from the Florence County Solicitor's Office

12th Circuit Solicitor's Office
180 N. Irby Street, Room 307
Florence, SC 29501
843-665-3091
12th Circuit Solicitor's Office

Paying the required administrative fee (typically $250-310 depending on the type of expungement)
Submitting the application to the Solicitor's Office for review
If approved by the Solicitor, the application is forwarded to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and then to a circuit court judge for final approval
Upon judicial approval, orders are sent to all relevant agencies to expunge the record

It is important to note that expungement does not completely destroy records but removes them from public access. Certain government agencies may still maintain access to expunged records for specific purposes. Additionally, expungement in South Carolina does not automatically restore all civil rights that may have been forfeited due to a conviction.

What Happens After Arrest in Florence County?

Following an arrest in Florence County, individuals enter the criminal justice process, which typically proceeds through several distinct phases:

Booking Process After physical arrest, the individual is transported to the Florence County Detention Center for booking. This process includes:
- Photographing and fingerprinting
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Background check
- Entry into jail management system
Bond Hearing Within 24 hours of arrest, defendants appear before a magistrate judge for a bond hearing. The judge determines:
- Whether to set bail
- Bail amount and conditions
- Initial appearance date
Preliminary Hearing For felony charges, defendants may request a preliminary hearing within 10 days of the bond hearing. At this hearing, a judge determines if probable cause exists to support the charges.
Formal Charging The 12th Circuit Solicitor's Office reviews the case and decides whether to:
- File formal charges
- Modify charges
- Dismiss the case
Arraignment Defendants are formally presented with charges and enter an initial plea of guilty or not guilty.
Pre-Trial Proceedings This phase may include:
- Discovery (exchange of evidence)
- Pre-trial motions
- Plea negotiations
- Diversion program consideration
Trial If the case proceeds to trial, it may be heard by:
- A judge alone (bench trial)
- A jury of peers (jury trial) The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Sentencing If convicted, sentencing may occur immediately or at a later hearing. Sentences may include:
- Incarceration
- Probation
- Fines
- Community service
- Restitution
Appeals Convicted defendants have the right to appeal their conviction or sentence to higher courts.

Throughout this process, defendants have constitutional rights including the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, and the right to a fair and speedy trial as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Florence County?

Arrest records in Florence County are maintained according to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History's Records Retention Schedule for Law Enforcement Agencies. Under South Carolina law, specifically S.C. Code Ann. § 30-1-90, government agencies must follow established retention schedules for public records.

The standard retention periods for arrest records in Florence County include:

Arrest Reports: Permanently maintained
Arrest Warrants: 10 years after execution or expiration
Booking Reports: 10 years after the date of booking
Incident Reports: 5 years after the date of the incident
Fingerprint Cards: Permanently maintained
Mugshot Photographs: Permanently maintained
Criminal History Records: Permanently maintained

Different agencies within the criminal justice system maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements:

The Florence County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records according to law enforcement retention schedules
The Florence County Clerk of Court maintains court records related to criminal cases according to judicial retention schedules
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains the central repository of criminal history information indefinitely

Records retention serves several critical purposes:

Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
Maintains documentation for background checks and security clearances
Ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies
Provides historical documentation for statistical and research purposes
Complies with state and federal records management requirements

Even after the minimum retention period has expired, many records are archived rather than destroyed, particularly those with historical or legal significance.

How to Find Mugshots in Florence County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. These images typically include front-facing and profile (side) views of the arrested individual and are used for identification purposes within the criminal justice system. In Florence County, mugshots are created as part of the standard booking procedure at the Florence County Detention Center.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

Mugshots in Florence County are primarily maintained by:

The Florence County Sheriff's Office
Municipal police departments within the county
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

Finding Mugshots

To locate mugshots in Florence County, individuals may:

Submit a public records request to the Florence County Sheriff's Office Records Division

Florence County Sheriff's Office Records Division
6719 Friendfield Road
Effingham, SC 29541
843-665-2121
Florence County Sheriff's Office

Check the Florence County Detention Center's current inmate database, which may include booking photos of individuals currently in custody
Contact the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest

Can They Be Found Online

Some mugshots may be available online through:

The Florence County Sheriff's Office website's inmate search function
Third-party websites that aggregate public records (though these may contain outdated or inaccurate information)
Local news media websites that publish mugshots of recently arrested individuals

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

To officially obtain mugshots, individuals should:

Complete a public records request form specifying the mugshot being requested
Provide identifying information about the subject (full name, date of birth, date of arrest)
Submit the request to the appropriate law enforcement agency
Pay any applicable fees (typically $5-15 per photograph)

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to mugshots may be restricted in certain circumstances:

Juvenile arrest records and mugshots are generally not public records
Expunged arrest records and associated mugshots are removed from public access
Ongoing investigations may temporarily restrict access to certain mugshots
Privacy laws may limit the release of mugshots in certain sensitive cases

Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware that while these images are generally considered public records in South Carolina, their publication and use may have significant privacy implications for the subjects depicted.