Spartanburg Warrant Records and Criminal Searches
Spartanburg is the county seat of Spartanburg County and part of the 7th Judicial Circuit. The Spartanburg Police Department maintains its records division at 206 N Forest Street. The county sheriff also issues and serves warrants throughout the county. Between the city police, county sheriff, and multiple magistrate courts, several agencies handle warrant records in the Spartanburg area. This guide covers how to search for and access those records.
How to Look Up Warrants in Spartanburg
Contact the Spartanburg Police Department records division at (864) 596-2035 for questions about city warrants. The records office is at 206 N Forest Street. Staff can help with warrant inquiries and police report requests during business hours.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff handles warrants for the broader county area. Call the sheriff for questions about county warrants including felony charges. The sheriff also maintains the county detention center where people arrested on warrants are booked and processed.
Police reports from the Spartanburg Police Department are free for people involved in the incident. All others pay $3 per report. Fingerprinting costs $5 and requires an appointment at (864) 594-7257. These services are separate from warrant searches but are part of the records division that handles both types of requests.
The South Carolina Court Case Search covers all courts in Spartanburg County. Search by name to find criminal cases, traffic tickets, and other court records. Bench warrants may show up in case notes when a defendant fails to appear for a hearing.
Warrant Process in Spartanburg
Getting an arrest warrant in Spartanburg starts with probable cause. An officer or citizen goes before a magistrate and swears out a statement of facts under § 17-13-140. The magistrate reviews the facts. If the standard is met, the warrant is issued. It then goes into the system where any officer in the state can serve it.
Bench warrants skip this step. A judge issues them from the bench when someone fails to appear. The Spartanburg Municipal Court and the various magistrate courts in the county all have this power. Missed court dates result in bench warrants almost immediately in many cases. The warrant stays active until the person is brought in or the court decides to recall it.
South Carolina law under § 17-13-40 allows any officer to serve a warrant anywhere in the state. A Spartanburg warrant can lead to an arrest in Greenville, Columbia, or any other city. Warrants never expire. They stay in the system for years if needed.
After an arrest, the person goes to the Spartanburg County Detention Center. Bond hearings follow the guidelines in § 17-15-90. The judge looks at the charge, the person's record, and their ties to the area before setting bond. The 7th Judicial Circuit covers Spartanburg County, and circuit court handles all felony cases.
Accessing Records in Spartanburg
Public records in Spartanburg are available under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, § 30-4-10. This law gives residents the right to access most government documents. Police reports, arrest records, and court filings fall under this law. Active investigation files are exempt while the case is still open.
The Spartanburg County Clerk of Court keeps all criminal case files. Visit the office for copies of court documents including warrants, indictments, and case dispositions. Certified copies have fees set by state law. The clerk can also tell you the status of any case in the county system.
For statewide searches, the SLED CATCH system provides criminal background reports for $25. This is the most thorough option for checking someone's full arrest history across South Carolina.
Magistrate Courts in Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County has several magistrate courts spread across the county. These courts handle minor criminal matters as defined by § 22-3-710, including preliminary hearings for more serious charges. Each magistrate can issue arrest warrants and bench warrants within their jurisdiction.
If you are not sure which court issued a warrant, start with the county sheriff. They have access to all warrants in the county system regardless of which court issued them. The state court search can also help identify which court has the case.
Resolving a warrant quickly is the best approach. For bench warrants, calling the issuing court to ask about scheduling a new hearing is a good first step. For arrest warrants, consulting a lawyer before turning yourself in helps ensure you get a fair bond hearing. Delays only create more problems, including the risk of being arrested at a bad time.
Spartanburg County Warrant Records
Spartanburg is the county seat of Spartanburg County. The county sheriff, clerk of court, and detention center all handle warrant-related records. For full details on county resources, visit the Spartanburg County page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
These cities are near Spartanburg and have their own warrant record systems. Click a city name for local details.