Criminal records of Laurens County, South Carolina, are available through several channels — online tools, state court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Court's office. LaurensCourt.us allows for quick access to publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be viewed through the South Carolina Judicial Department portal, SLED's CATCH system, and directly at the Laurens County Clerk of Court office.
How to Search Criminal Records in Laurens
To search for criminal records, prepare at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search
- LaurensCourt.us — enter the name or case number to view public information on county criminal cases.
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — the official state portal for searching court cases by name or case number. Select Laurens County in the filter. Note: the portal displays public data but is not an official court record.
- SLED CATCH (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) — search by name in the South Carolina criminal history database. The system is supported by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
- Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — view individuals currently held in the Laurens County detention center.
In-Person Visit
The Clerk of Court maintains all documents filed with the Court of General Sessions (criminal cases), Court of Common Pleas, and Family Court. Copies of any record, except those sealed by court order or protected by law, can be viewed in person. Contact the office at the address below.
Written Request
Send a letter to the Clerk of Court specifying the full name of the person, date of birth, and case number (if known). To obtain an official state criminal history, submit a request to SLED by mail or through their online CATCH portal.
Search Laurens Criminal Cases by Case Number
Case numbers in South Carolina have a standard format consisting of several parts:
- Year of filing — the first digits indicate the year the case was opened (e.g., 2024).
- Case type code — a letter designation indicating the category. For criminal cases in the Court of General Sessions, "GS" is typically used.
- Sequential number — a unique numerical identifier for the case within the year and type.
Example: 2024-GS-30-00123, where "30" is the code for Laurens County. If you know the case number, searching through the state's Public Index or the clerk's office provides the most accurate result — one case, without the need to filter out namesakes.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Laurens
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the South Carolina Code under which the charge is brought |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting consideration
- Active — the case is in active court proceedings
- Disposed — the case has been resolved (verdict rendered, closed, or dismissed)
- Closed — all procedures are completed, and the case is archived
Hearings
A criminal case in the Laurens County Court of General Sessions goes through several stages. Arraignment is the first hearing where the defendant is informed of the charges. This may be followed by a preliminary hearing, pre-trial conference, and then the trial itself. After a guilty plea or jury verdict, sentencing is conducted. Some cases have review hearings to monitor compliance with conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or defendant's admission of guilt |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted by jury or judge's decision |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — at the prosecutor's or court's initiative |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to pursue the case |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after substantive consideration |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Laurens
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the Laurens County Clerk of Court. To request, you need to:
- Visit the clerk's office in person or send a written request by mail.
- Provide the full name of the defendant, case number (if known), and type of document requested.
- Present a valid photo ID (for in-person visits).
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, use the SLED CATCH system or submit a request directly to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Records sealed by court order or protected by state law are not subject to public disclosure. If you are unsure whether a specific document is available, inquire with the clerk before visiting.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Laurens
According to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (Title 30, Chapter 4), fees for searching and retrieving records cannot exceed the prorated hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee reasonably capable of fulfilling the request.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | Set by the clerk's office — inquire by phone |
| Certification of copy | Additional fee to the cost of the copy — inquire with the clerk |
| Criminal history check through SLED CATCH | $25 per name search (online) |
Processing time depends on the method of request submission. Online searches through CATCH usually provide results within minutes. Written requests to the clerk's office may take from a few business days to two weeks, depending on volume and complexity. In-person requests are often processed on the same day if documents are readily available.