Union County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Union County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Union County, South Carolina may access publicly available information through a combination of official court portals, county offices, and third-party aggregators such as UnionSCRecords.us. Criminal records in Union County may include arrest logs, booking records, court case filings, disposition data, sentencing information, and incarceration history. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and whether the record has been sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted under South Carolina law.
Relevant record categories that members of the public may encounter include:
- Arrest and booking records maintained by the Union County Sheriff's Office
- Circuit court case filings and dispositions from the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit
- State criminal history records held by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
- Inmate and detention records from the Union County Detention Center
- Sex offender registry entries maintained at the state level
- Pending charges and active warrant information
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary pathways for accessing criminal records in Union County.
1. County Court Records
The Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court serves Union County and maintains case files for criminal matters heard at the circuit level. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the Union County Courthouse.
Union County Clerk of Court
210 West Main Street
Union, SC 29379
Phone: (864) 429-1630
South Carolina Judicial Branch
Public access terminals are available during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requestors should bring the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and, if available, a case number. Government-issued photo identification may be required for certain record types.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Union County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and inmate information for individuals processed through the county detention facility.
Union County Sheriff's Office
210 West Main Street
Union, SC 29379
Phone: (864) 429-1612
Union County Sheriff's Office
Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person during regular business hours. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30.
3. Online Court Search
The South Carolina Judicial Branch operates a public case search portal that allows users to search circuit court records by name, case number, or filing date. Users may access the Public Index case search directly. Search results include case numbers, charges, filing dates, and disposition information. Note that not all historical records are available digitally, and sealed or expunged cases do not appear in search results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) serves as the state's central repository for criminal history records. Formal background check requests require submission through SLED's online portal, along with applicable fees. Fingerprint-based checks are available for employment and licensing purposes and require scheduling through an authorized fingerprint vendor.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Phone: (803) 737-9000
SLED Criminal Records
Processing times vary; name-based checks are available online, while fingerprint-based checks may take several business days.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted by mail to the Union County Clerk of Court at 210 West Main Street, Union, SC 29379. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, agencies are required to respond to written requests within ten business days.
What Is Union County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Union County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, dispositions, and sentencing outcomes. Under South Carolina law, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the criminal justice process, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under South Carolina law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are sealed by operation of law and are not accessible to the general public under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2020.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Union County include the Union County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court (case files and dispositions), SLED (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments. Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of prosecution, and finalized upon sentencing or dismissal. A complete criminal record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing terms, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Union County
Criminal records in Union County are public records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-20, which declares that "it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity." Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to members of the public absent a specific legal restriction.
Records that are restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed under state law
- Expunged records, which are treated as though the underlying event never occurred
- Sealed court records ordered restricted by a judge
- Ongoing criminal investigation files exempt under FOIA
- Victim and witness identifying information protected under state and federal law
- Records subject to a pardon issued by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
The South Carolina Attorney General's Office provides guidance on public records access and FOIA compliance through the South Carolina Attorney General's FOIA resources. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to state FOIA provisions.
How To Find Criminal Records in Union County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online portal for Union County court records is the South Carolina Public Index, maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Branch. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal contains circuit court criminal case filings, hearing dates, and disposition information. No registration is required for basic name searches. The Union County Sheriff's Office publishes current inmate information through the county's official website at Union County Government.
State-Level Resources
SLED maintains a statewide criminal history background check system accessible through the SLED background check portal. The South Carolina Judicial Branch's statewide case search allows searches across all counties. The South Carolina Sex Offender Registry is publicly searchable through SLED's sex offender registry.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as records may be distributed across court, sheriff, and state systems
- Be aware that records predating digital indexing may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in any public online portal
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Historical records predating the mid-1990s are not fully digitized. Online searches do not substitute for certified official background checks required for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Union County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
South Carolina law mandates that public records be made available for inspection at no charge. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, agencies must permit inspection of public records during regular business hours. Copying fees may apply. In-person inspection is available at the Union County Clerk of Court and the Union County Sheriff's Office, both located at 210 West Main Street, Union, SC 29379.
2. Free Online Databases
| Resource | Cost | Access |
|---|---|---|
| SC Public Index (court cases) | Free | Online |
| SLED Sex Offender Registry | Free | Online |
| Union County Inmate Roster | Free | Online |
| SC Judicial Branch Case Search | Free | Online |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Union County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours at no charge for inspection.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the Clerk of Court
- Official SLED name-based background check: $25 per request (current fee)
- Fingerprint-based background check: $35 per request (current fee)
- Staff-assisted record searches: fees may apply per agency policy
- Expedited processing: additional fees may apply
State Fee Law
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies but may not charge for inspection. Fee waivers are not broadly codified under South Carolina FOIA, though individual agencies retain discretion in certain circumstances.
What's Included in a Union County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Union County criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the detention facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record. These records are accessible through the SC Public Index.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing terms (including incarceration length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2020)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial intervention or diversion program records
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal records may submit a correction request to the originating agency or to SLED through the SLED criminal records correction process. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and housing determinations.
How Long Does Union County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
South Carolina's records retention schedules, administered through the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History publishes official retention schedules applicable to court and law enforcement records.
Retention by Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the court and SLED
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; SLED retains indefinitely
- Arrest records (no conviction): Retained by the Sheriff's Office per agency retention schedule; may be eligible for expungement
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records showing the disposition; eligible for expungement under qualifying circumstances
- Juvenile records: Sealed at age 17 or upon case closure; destruction timelines governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2020
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- County courts retain case files permanently per South Carolina judicial retention rules
- The Union County Sheriff's Office retains jail and arrest records per the state retention schedule
- SLED retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository
Physical vs. Electronic
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper documents may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record persists.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction permanently eliminates a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910, removes qualifying records from public view and directs agencies to treat the matter as though it did not occur. Expungement eligibility depends on the offense type, disposition, and time elapsed. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.
Expungement
South Carolina law provides for expungement of certain first-offense misdemeanors, dismissed charges, and charges resolved through pretrial intervention. Expungement forms and eligibility criteria are available through the South Carolina Judicial Branch. Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specified purposes notwithstanding the expungement order.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state records. Federal retention rules differ from South Carolina's state requirements.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions appear on background checks indefinitely absent expungement. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions for seven to ten years, though no such limitation applies to positions involving public trust or professional licensure. Professional licensing boards in South Carolina may require full disclosure of all criminal history regardless of age.