south carolina felony search: key steps and cautions

Where records come from

A reliable felony search in South Carolina draws from multiple sources. Circuit court dockets record felony filings and outcomes, while the statewide criminal history maintained by SLED aggregates arrest and conviction data. County clerk portals may show more detail on hearings, motions, and sentencing. Because coverage and update cycles vary, smart researchers compare results across systems to avoid gaps.

How to run a focused search

Start with the person’s full legal name, known aliases, and date of birth. Filter by county and time span to narrow hits. Read the case header to confirm the charge level, then review the disposition to see whether counts were dismissed, reduced, or resulted in conviction. Note that deferred resolutions, expungements, or sealed records may not appear online.

• Confirm the correct jurisdiction and case number.
• Use precise identifiers to avoid mixed files.
• Read docket history, not just charge titles.
• Watch for updated sentencing or appeals.
• Verify critical findings with certified copies.

Limits and ethics

For employment or housing, the FCRA may require consent and adverse-action notices. Records can contain errors; consider cross-checking and seek legal counsel for specific questions.