Court records in Aiken County, South Carolina, are maintained by the Clerk of Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. AikenCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Aiken County. You can also search records through the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, the Aiken County Clerk of Court, and other state and county government resources.
Aiken County Court System Overview
Aiken County is part of South Carolina's Second Judicial Circuit, which also includes Bamberg and Barnwell counties. The state's circuit court system is the court of general jurisdiction in South Carolina, handling both criminal cases through General Sessions Court and civil matters through Common Pleas Court. Family Court, a separate division, handles domestic and juvenile matters. The Aiken County courts operate out of the Aiken County Judicial Center and the Aiken County Government Center. Magistrate courts in Aiken County handle lower-level criminal and civil cases across multiple locations throughout the county.
Aiken County Judicial Center
Aiken County Government Center
Courts Serving Aiken County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Aiken County Circuit Court (General Sessions & Common Pleas) | 109 Park Avenue SE, Aiken, SC 29801 | 803-642-1700 |
| Aiken County Family Court | 109 Park Avenue SE, Aiken, SC 29801 | 803-642-1700 |
| Aiken County Probate Court | 828 Richland Avenue West, Aiken, SC 29801 | 803-642-2089 |
| Aiken County Magistrate Courts | Multiple locations throughout Aiken County | Contact the Clerk of Court for specific locations |
| City of Aiken Municipal Court | 135 Laurens Street SW, Aiken, SC 29801 | 803-642-7654 |
| U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina (Aiken Division) | 109 Park Avenue SE, Aiken, SC 29801 | 803-765-5816 (Columbia main office) |
What Types of Cases Aiken County Courts Hear
Courts in Aiken County handle a broad range of case types across multiple divisions:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, DUI, and traffic violations
- Civil: Lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, small claims
- Family Law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, adoption, civil protection orders, termination of parental rights
- Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trust matters
- Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings, child protective cases
The sections below explain which court handles each category and how cases move through the system.
District Court Cases in Aiken County
In South Carolina, the Circuit Court serves as the court of general jurisdiction. In Aiken County, the General Sessions division handles all felony criminal cases, as well as misdemeanors that are not resolved at the magistrate level. The Common Pleas division hears civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $7,500. Circuit Court also hears appeals from magistrate and municipal courts. Cases typically arrive at Circuit Court after indictment by a grand jury (criminal) or by filing a summons and complaint (civil). Circuit judges are assigned to ride the Second Judicial Circuit, rotating among Aiken, Bamberg, and Barnwell counties. The Clerk of Court provides all administrative support for Circuit Court proceedings.
Magistrate Court Cases in Aiken County
Aiken County magistrate courts handle a significant volume of cases at the local level:
- Criminal cases involving misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $500 fine
- Preliminary hearings for felony charges
- Civil cases where the amount in dispute is $7,500 or less
- Small claims matters (no attorney required)
- Traffic violations and DUI arraignments
- Restraining orders and order-to-show-cause hearings
Under South Carolina law, the magistrate court civil jurisdictional limit is $7,500. Magistrate judges in Aiken County may be assigned to specific courthouses across the county based on geographic need and case volume. If you are unsure which magistrate court location to visit, contact the Clerk of Court's office for direction.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Aiken County
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, visitation, paternity, adoption, civil protection orders, and termination of parental rights are all heard in Aiken County Family Court. Completed Aiken County divorce records can be found through the Clerk of Court's office, Judgment Division. Certified copies of the Report of Divorce are also available from the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Probate
The Aiken County Probate Court handles decedent estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters. The Probate Court operates independently from the Circuit Court and is located at 828 Richland Avenue West in Aiken.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency proceedings and child protective cases are handled through Family Court. Juvenile records are confidential under South Carolina law and are not available through public index searches. Contact the Family Court clerk's office for information about juvenile proceedings.
How Cases Move Through the Aiken County Court System
- Filing or initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest or a warrant. Civil cases start when a plaintiff files a summons and complaint. Family cases begin with a petition filed in Family Court.
- Assignment: Cases are assigned to a judge. In Circuit Court, judges rotate through the Second Judicial Circuit on a term-of-court basis.
- Initial hearings: Criminal defendants appear for a bond hearing or arraignment. Civil parties attend a scheduling or status conference.
- Pre-trial phase: Both sides exchange discovery, file motions, and may attempt settlement or plea negotiations.
- Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to a bench or jury trial, or they resolve through a guilty plea, settlement, dismissal, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from Circuit Court go to the South Carolina Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Aiken County
The Second Judicial Circuit's administrative judge oversees court operations in Aiken, Bamberg, and Barnwell counties. The Aiken County Clerk of Court provides day-to-day administrative support for Circuit and Family Courts, including maintaining court dockets and rosters.
Public Access to Records
Court records in South Carolina are generally open to the public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (Title 30). Certain records are restricted, including juvenile records, sealed records, and records subject to expungement. You can search Aiken County court case information online through the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index. For certified copies or records not available online, visit or contact the Clerk of Court's office.
Attending Hearings
Most court hearings in Aiken County are open to the public and held in person at the Aiken County Judicial Center. Some proceedings may be conducted remotely depending on the judge's order and the type of case. Contact the Clerk of Court for current hearing schedules and any remote appearance options.
Expungement
Individuals seeking to have arrest or conviction records expunged in Aiken County can obtain an expungement application from the Solicitor's Office at the Aiken County Judicial Center.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Aiken County
- Court case search: Use the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index to search Aiken County court records by name or case number.
- Criminal history checks: The SLED CATCH system provides name-based South Carolina criminal records searches for a $25 non-refundable fee.
- Clerk of Court: The Aiken County Clerk of Court maintains records for General Sessions, Common Pleas, and Family Court. Request copies in person or by mail.
- Detention Center inmate search: Search current detainees at the Aiken County Detention Center through the Detainee Public Search tool.
- State inmate search: The South Carolina Department of Corrections offers an online inmate search for individuals serving state sentences.
- Probation and parole: The SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services provides an offender search by name or county.
- Sex offender registry: Search the South Carolina sex offender registry through SLED's website.
- Property and land records: The Aiken County Register of Deeds records deeds, mortgages, plats, easements, and other land documents. Search recorded documents through the ROD online search portal.
- Vital records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates are available through the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
- Historical and genealogical records: The SC Department of Archives and History offers online access to historical court records, will transcripts, and other archival materials.