General Sessions

--Criminal Record Checks--

The criminal records that are within the jurisdiction of General Sessions court are the warrants, indictments, sentence sheets, bond papers and other related documents that have been filed with the Richland County Clerk of Court.

General Sessions Court hears cases that are felonies or higher court cases. The Clerk of Court’s office does not maintain records for charges that are within the jurisdiction of Magistrates Court, also known as Summary Court. These charges are usually referred to as misdemeanors or lower court cases.

Because our records do not include magistrate court cases, the Clerk of Court’s staff does not do a “certified records check”. If you need a Full Criminal Background Check, you can contact the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) at 803-737-9000 or go to SLEDCATCH at catch.sled.sc.gov

--Notice--

Beginning January 1, 2020

Forms of payment for an expungement order will be POSTAL money order or cashier's check. 

Orders will NOT be filed that do not have correct form of payment.

Fine Payment Instruct

Mail money order payable to Richland County Clerk of Court to:

Richland County Clerk of Court
Attn: Criminal Records
Post Office Box 2766
Columbia, SC 29202

A receipt will be mailed to the return address on your envelope.

To file a General Sessions pleading, please email it to: gsfilings@richlandcountysc.gov

To request copies of criminal records, you may mail your request at the address above, or come in person at 1701 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The Criminal Records department is located on the 4th floor.