Spartanburg County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Founded in 1792, Spartanburg County is located in northwestern South Carolina, bordering North Carolina. Its population is over 330,100, making it the fifth-most populous county in the state, and the City of Spartanburg serves as the county seat. The county's judicial system comprises the Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, and several Magistrate and Municipal Courts.

Spartanburg County belongs to South Carolina's 7th Judicial Circuit. As the court of general jurisdiction, the Circuit Court has Divisions specializing in all types of cases. While the Court of General Sessions Division handles felonies and other criminal matters, the Court of Common Pleas adjudicates civil cases. The Circuit Court also has appellate authority over appeals from the lower courts. The Spartanburg County Family Court specializes in domestic and family-related cases such as divorce, child custody, support, and some matters involving minors facing neglect, abuse, or delinquency allegations. Probate matters, including wills, estates, and conservatorships for minors, are handled by the Estate Division of the Probate Court. The Court's Mental Health Division determines involuntary commitments, drug and alcohol abuse, and guardianships for incapacitated individuals. Spartanburg County has several Magistrate Courts that handle lesser criminal offenses, traffic violations, and civil cases involving small claims of $7,500 or less. On the other hand, the Municipal Courts across the county handle local ordinance violations and misdemeanor cases in their respective jurisdictions. Some municipalities in Spartanburg County with Municipal Courts include Campobello, Pacolet, Cowpens, Duncan, and Lyman.

In 2022, a total of 9,020 crimes and 6,138 arrests were reported in Spartanburg County. According to reports by the South Carolina Judiciary Branch, Spartanburg County Circuit Court handles approximately 16,000 criminal cases (pending and new filings) and finalizes about 7,000 cases annually. On the other hand, the Common Pleas Division's annual caseload includes approximately 5,000 new filings and up to 8,000 disposed civil cases. The Family Court manages around 8,000 cases yearly and resolves up to 3,500 cases. The Magistrate and Municipal Courts collectively handle more than 40,000 cases annually, dealing with minor offenses, traffic, and local ordinance violations. Court records in Spartanburg County are preserved by the Clerk of Court and can be accessed online or in person at the Clerk's Office. However, the Clerk does not provide confidential court records.

In summary, Spartanburg County's court system comprises various courts with distinct functions that collectively ensure the fair and efficient administration of justice. Through its Circuit, Family, Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal Courts, the county resolves a wide range of legal matters and provides legal services to its residents.