Lexington County Criminal Records
What Is Lexington County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Lexington County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to South Carolina Code § 30-4-30, which establishes requirements for the maintenance and accessibility of public records.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:
- Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes a person into custody, including booking information, charges, and mugshots
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including charges, hearings, pleas, and case dispositions
- Conviction Records: Final judgments resulting in guilty verdicts or pleas
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding detention in county facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody and charged with an offense, while conviction records confirm that legal proceedings resulted in a finding of guilt. Under South Carolina law, both types of records are generally considered public information for adults, though with certain exceptions.
Criminal offenses in Lexington County are categorized as either:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
Juvenile records (for individuals under 18) receive special protection under South Carolina Code § 63-19-2010 and are generally not accessible to the public without a court order.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Lexington County:
Lexington County Sheriff's Department
521 Gibson Road
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-8230
Lexington County Sheriff's Department
Lexington County Clerk of Court
205 East Main Street
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-8212
Lexington County Clerk of Court
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 737-9000
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
These criminal records typically include information about charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation or parole status when applicable.
Are Criminal Records Public In Lexington County
Criminal records in Lexington County are generally considered public information in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This statute, codified under South Carolina Code § 30-4-10 et seq., establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be accessible to the public.
The statute specifically states: "The General Assembly finds that it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity and in the formulation of public policy."
However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Several important exceptions exist:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations may be withheld under § 30-4-40(a)(3)
- Juvenile Records: Records involving minors are generally sealed and not available to the public
- Expunged Records: Criminal records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access
- Sealed Records: Records sealed by court order are not publicly accessible
- Certain Victim Information: Personal identifying information of victims, particularly in sensitive cases
Adult conviction records are consistently available as public information, as are court proceedings which are presumptively open to the public under both statutory and constitutional principles. The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains that court records are public documents unless specifically sealed by judicial order.
Law enforcement booking records, including mugshots, are generally considered public records in Lexington County, though policies regarding their release may vary among agencies. The Lexington County Sheriff's Department maintains current inmate information that is accessible to the public.
It is important to note that while records may be legally public, practical access may require formal requests, payment of fees, or navigation of specific agency procedures as outlined in subsequent sections.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Lexington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Lexington County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county provides both in-person and remote options for accessing these public documents.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Lexington County Clerk of Court
205 East Main Street
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-8212
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Lexington County Clerk of Court
When requesting records in person, requestors should:
- Complete a records request form, available at the public counter
- Provide specific identifying information about the case or individual (full name, date of birth, case number if known)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees (currently $25 for criminal record searches)
- Allow time for staff to retrieve the requested records
For criminal history information, individuals may also contact:
Lexington County Sheriff's Department Records Division
521 Gibson Road
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-8230
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Lexington County Sheriff's Department
For statewide criminal history information, requests may be submitted to:
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 737-9000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
SLED requires:
- Completion of a Criminal Records Check form
- Payment of the required fee ($25 per record check)
- Submission of fingerprints for certain types of comprehensive background checks
Written requests may be submitted by mail to any of these agencies, provided they include:
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Notarized authorization if requesting records on behalf of another individual
- Payment of applicable fees by check or money order
Pursuant to South Carolina Code § 30-4-30(C), 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 Criminal Records in Lexington County Online?
Lexington County offers several digital portals through which members of the public may access criminal records information without visiting government offices. These online resources provide varying levels of detail and cover different aspects of the criminal justice process.
The primary online resources include:
-
Lexington County Public Index
The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Public Index provides access to court case information for Lexington County. Users may search by:- Name (last name, first name)
- Case number
- Filing date range
This system displays case types, filing dates, charges, scheduled hearings, and case dispositions. However, it does not provide access to full document images.
-
Lexington County Detention Center Inmate Search
The Sheriff's Department Inmate Lookup allows users to search for:- Currently incarcerated individuals
- Booking information
- Charges
- Bond amounts
- Scheduled court dates
This database is updated daily and includes only current inmates, not historical detention records.
-
South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Search
The Statewide Court Case Search includes Lexington County cases and provides:- Criminal and civil case information
- Case status and scheduled events
- Party information
- Register of actions
Registration is required for this service, but basic searches are available without cost.
-
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Records Check
SLED's online portal allows users to request criminal history information for a fee of $25 per search. This service provides:- Statewide criminal history information
- Conviction data
- Pending charges
Users must create an account and provide payment information to access these records.
-
Lexington County Sex Offender Registry
The Sheriff's Department Sex Offender Registry allows users to search for registered sex offenders by:- Name
- Address/location
- Non-compliant status
This database includes photographs, offense information, and residential addresses of registered offenders.
When using these online systems, users should note that:
- Not all criminal records are available online
- Older records may only be accessible through in-person requests
- Document images typically require separate requests
- Information accuracy should be verified through official sources
Can You Search Lexington County Criminal Records for Free?
Lexington County provides several options for members of the public to access criminal records without payment, though comprehensive searches may still require fees. South Carolina Code § 30-4-30(B) permits agencies to "establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for or making copies of records."
Free inspection of criminal records is available at:
Lexington County Clerk of Court
205 East Main Street
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-8212
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Lexington County Clerk of Court
Visitors may review public case files on-site without charge, though identification is required and staff assistance may be limited based on availability. While inspection is free, copying fees apply ($0.25 per page for standard documents).
Free online resources include:
-
Lexington County Public Index
The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Public Index provides basic case information at no cost, including:- Case numbers and filing dates
- Party names
- Charge information
- Hearing dates
- Case status and disposition
-
Lexington County Detention Center Inmate Search
The Sheriff's Department Inmate Lookup offers free access to current inmate information, including:- Current charges
- Booking dates
- Bond information
- Next court appearance
-
Lexington County Sex Offender Registry
The Sheriff's Department Sex Offender Registry provides free public access to information about registered sex offenders residing in the county.
It is important to note that while basic information may be available without charge, more comprehensive criminal history reports typically require payment. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charges $25 for official criminal history reports, and certified copies of court documents from the Clerk of Court require payment of statutory fees.
Additionally, third-party websites that aggregate public records may offer limited free information, but these sources should not be considered official and may contain inaccuracies or outdated information.
What's Included in a Lexington County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Lexington County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content may vary depending on the case circumstances and the maintaining agency, but generally includes several categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, identifying marks)
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail/bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and jurisdiction
- Court assignment (Circuit Court for felonies, Magistrate Court for misdemeanors)
- Filing date
- Formal charges and applicable statutes
- Classification of offenses (felony class A-F or misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney representation details
- Hearing dates and outcomes
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length and facility
- Probation terms and conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution requirements
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective/restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The Lexington County Clerk of Court maintains the official court records, while arrest and booking information is maintained by the Lexington County Sheriff's Department. Statewide criminal history information is compiled by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
It should be noted that juvenile records (for offenders under 18) contain similar information but are subject to stricter confidentiality protections under South Carolina law and are generally not included in public criminal records.
How Long Does Lexington County Keep Criminal Records?
Lexington County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History pursuant to South Carolina Code § 30-1-90. These schedules dictate the minimum period for which various types of criminal records must be preserved.
The retention periods for key criminal record documents are as follows:
-
Arrest Records and Booking Information
- Felony arrests: 75 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor arrests: 25 years from date of arrest
- Arrest warrants: 10 years after execution or expiration
-
Court Records
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: 25 years after case closure
- Traffic case files: 10 years after case closure
- Court dockets and indexes: Permanent retention
- Grand jury indictments: Permanent retention
-
Incarceration Records
- Inmate files (county detention): 10 years after release
- Jail registers and logs: Permanent retention
-
Probation and Parole Records
- Probation case files: 10 years after completion of sentence
- Parole violation reports: 10 years after completion of sentence
-
Sex Offender Registry Information
- Registration records: Lifetime for Tier III offenders
- Registration records: 25 years for Tier II offenders
- Registration records: 15 years for Tier I offenders
It is important to note that while records may be maintained for these minimum periods, they remain accessible to the public throughout their retention period unless sealed or expunged by court order. The Lexington County Clerk of Court serves as the custodian for court records, while law enforcement records are maintained by the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.
Digital records systems have expanded the practical retention of many criminal records beyond these minimum requirements, with some historical records now digitized and preserved indefinitely. However, older paper records that predate digital systems may be more difficult to locate if they have been archived.
Expungement orders, when granted by the court pursuant to South Carolina Code § 17-22-910, require the destruction or sealing of records regardless of standard retention schedules.
Lookup Criminal Records in Lexington County
Lexington County Sheriff's Department Inmate Search
Lexington County Government Official Website
Lexington County Clerk of Court Records
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Public Records Portal
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Criminal Records Check