Berkeley County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Berkeley County covers 1103 square miles of land and is the third largest county in South Carolina, with over 231,400 residents. Moncks Corner is the County seat. Berkeley County boasts a comprehensive court system consisting of the Circuit Court, Master In Equity, Family Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, and Municipal Court. The Circuit Court is essential, as it is the court of general jurisdiction and houses the Court of Common Pleas for civil cases and the Court of General Sessions for criminal cases. It has authority over criminal and civil cases valued at over $7,500 and adjudicates appeals from magistrate, probate, and municipal courts.

The Berkeley County Master in Equity presides over cases referred or transferred by attorneys' consent or the Circuit Court's Order. The court has the same authority as the circuit court concerning non-jury litigation. Family Court, located in the county's courthouse at Moncks Corner, effectively manages a comprehensive range of cases involving marriage, divorce, legal separation, adoption, support, alimony, division of marital property, and change of name. Berkeley County Probate Court is the primary court for cases related to estates, marriage licenses, mental health, alcohol and drug addiction, guardians, conservators, and minor settlements. The court's jurisdiction is divided into four divisions: Estate, Guardian, Therapeutic, and Marriage License. The Berkeley County Magistrate Courts, located in Goose Creek and Moncks Corner, have jurisdiction over criminal trials for offenses that may result in a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both. Magistrate Courts in the county also preside over civil cases in which the disputed amount does not exceed $7,500. The Berkeley County Municipal Courts have jurisdiction over cases involving municipal ordinances and offenses that may result in a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.

Berkeley County boasts an efficient court system that consistently processes a substantial volume of cases yearly. The Circuit Court handles more than 4600 cases annually, while the county's Probate Court handles over 2,000 cases annually. The crime rate in Berkeley County stands at 28 incidents per 1,000 residents annually. In 2023, the County's Sheriff's Office recorded 2042 new crime cases, underscoring the vital role of a robust court system in upholding public safety and dispensing justice. The Berkeley County Clerk of Court ensures that court proceedings, filings, and judgments are recorded and available for public inspection upon request. Besides civil case records, available on the public index portal, you can submit a court record request to the County's Clerk of Court by calling (843) 719 - 4400. Note that Family Court records are confidential and may only be inspected by a special commission.

In summary, the court system in Berkeley County serves as a cornerstone of the county's government, ensuring access to justice for diverse legal matters. Its comprehensive court structure, comprising the Circuit, Family, Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal Courts, facilitates the efficient adjudication of a broad spectrum of cases, thereby fostering a fair and effective legal process for the county.

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