Conway Warrant Search Guide
Conway is the county seat of Horry County and home to a busy court system that processes warrant records throughout the year. The Horry County Sheriff maintains a warrant division based in Conway that handles all active warrants across the county. Conway falls within the 15th Judicial Circuit. The city has its own police force, but the Sheriff's office manages the central warrant database. Anyone looking for warrant records tied to Conway can start with the county resources or contact the Sheriff's warrant department directly.
How to Find Conway Warrant Records
The Horry County Sheriff operates an online warrant search tool that lets you look up active warrants by name. This tool covers all of Horry County, including Conway. It shows the charge, the date of issue, and the status of the warrant. Results may not appear right away after a judge signs a new warrant. Allow a day or two for the system to update.
You can also call the Sheriff's Warrant Department at (843) 915-8347. Staff there can confirm if a warrant is active for a specific person. They answer questions about outstanding warrants and can explain the process for turning yourself in. The main Sheriff's office number is (843) 915-5450 and the office sits at 1301 2nd Ave, Conway SC 29526.
The Horry County Clerk of Court keeps records of all filed cases. You can search for court records tied to Conway cases through the Clerk's office. This system shows charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. It is a useful tool for checking whether a warrant has led to formal charges.
The online tool runs around the clock and does not need a login or account to use.
Conway as County Seat
Conway holds a central role in the Horry County court system. As the county seat, it is where the main courthouse and Sheriff's office are located. All General Sessions cases for the 15th Circuit pass through the Conway courthouse. This includes felony warrant records and serious criminal matters from across the county.
The 15th Judicial Circuit also covers the Myrtle Beach area and the unincorporated parts of Horry County. People arrested on warrants anywhere in the county are often processed through the Conway detention center. Bond hearings for those arrests happen at the county courthouse. Under South Carolina Code Section 17-15-90, judges look at the nature of the charge, criminal history, and flight risk when setting bond.
Note: The Conway courthouse handles both civil and criminal matters, so wait times can vary depending on the court calendar.
Warrant Types in Conway
Conway law enforcement deals with several types of warrants. The most common is the arrest warrant. Under South Carolina Code Section 17-13-140, any magistrate can issue an arrest warrant based on a sworn affidavit. An officer brings the facts to a judge. If the judge finds probable cause, the warrant is signed and the person can be arrested.
Bench warrants are another common type in Conway. A judge issues a bench warrant when someone skips a court date or breaks a condition of their release. These show up in the warrant system and can lead to arrest during a routine traffic stop or any other encounter with police. Conway Municipal Court issues bench warrants for missed hearings on local charges.
Search warrants allow officers to enter a specific place and look for evidence. A judge must approve the location, the items being sought, and the reason for the search. These records are not always public right away. They may be sealed during an active investigation. South Carolina Code Section 22-3-710 gives municipal courts the authority to issue certain types of warrants for offenses within their jurisdiction.
Horry County Clerk of Court Records
The Clerk of Court in Conway maintains official court records for the entire county. These records include case filings, dispositions, and warrant-related documents. The Clerk's office is in the Horry County courthouse in downtown Conway.
You can search by name or case number. The system shows whether charges are pending, if a trial has been scheduled, or if the case has been closed. It does not show every warrant directly, but it can confirm if a warrant led to a filed case. For warrant-specific searches, the Sheriff's tool is the better option.
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act under Section 30-4-10 allows public access to most government records. Warrant records that have been served are generally available. Records tied to sealed cases or active investigations may be restricted until the case moves forward.
Note: The Clerk of Court charges a small fee for certified copies of court documents, so bring a form of payment if you visit in person.
State Resources for Conway Warrant Records
SLED operates the CATCH system at catch.sled.sc.gov. This statewide tool lets you run a criminal history check. It covers records from every county in South Carolina, including Horry County and Conway. The CATCH system may not show every active warrant in real time, but it gives a broad view of a person's criminal record in the state.
The South Carolina court system also runs a case search tool at sccourts.org/caseSearch. You can look up cases by name or number. It covers all circuit courts and shows the status of each case. This is helpful for checking if charges have been filed after a Conway warrant was issued.
Resolving an Outstanding Warrant
If you learn you have an active warrant in Conway, you have a few options. The first step is to call the Horry County Sheriff's Warrant Department at (843) 915-8347. Staff can confirm the warrant and explain the process. In some cases, you may be able to arrange a time to turn yourself in.
Walking into the Sheriff's office at 1301 2nd Ave in Conway is another path. You will go through booking and then appear before a judge for a bond hearing. Having a lawyer with you at this stage matters. A lawyer can argue for lower bond or for conditions that let you stay out of jail while the case moves forward. Under Section 17-13-40, officers can make warrantless arrests when they see a crime happen, but in most cases they need a signed warrant from a judge first.
- Call the Warrant Department at (843) 915-8347 to check your status
- Bring a valid ID when you go to the Sheriff's office
- Speak with a lawyer before turning yourself in
- Ask about bond conditions at your first hearing
- Keep all court paperwork in a safe place
An outstanding warrant does not go away on its own. It stays active until you deal with it. Every traffic stop or background check is a chance for it to come up. The sooner you act, the more control you have over the outcome.
Horry County Warrant Records
Conway is the county seat of Horry County. The Sheriff handles warrant service across the entire county, including Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas. For full details on county warrant records, court contacts, and search tools, visit the Horry County page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
These cities are close to Conway. Each has its own law enforcement and court system for handling local warrant records.