Criminal records in Aiken County, South Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. AikenCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the South Carolina Judicial Department's online court index, the Aiken County Clerk of Court's General Sessions division, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which maintains statewide criminal history records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Aiken
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- AikenCourt.us — Search for publicly available Aiken County court record information by name or case number.
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — The state's official court case search portal. Select Aiken County to look up General Sessions (criminal) cases. You can search by party name or case number.
- SLED CATCH (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) — A name-based search that returns South Carolina criminal history records. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 applies, with an additional $1.00 convenience fee. Most major credit and debit cards are accepted.
- Aiken County Detention Center Detainee Search — Look up individuals currently held at the Aiken County Detention Center at 435 Wire Road.
- South Carolina Department of Corrections — Search for inmates serving state prison sentences.
- SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services — Search for offenders under community supervision by county.
In Person
Visit the Aiken County Clerk of Court's office to search criminal case files. Public access terminals or assistance from staff may be available for looking up General Sessions records.
Aiken County Clerk of Court — General Sessions
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Send a written request to the Clerk of Court at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). Include payment for any applicable copy fees.
- State criminal history: Submit a request through SLED for a formal background check. Fingerprint-based checks are available for certain purposes such as employment or licensing.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last, middle name helps)
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- Approximate date range of the offense or filing
Search Aiken Criminal Cases by Case Number
South Carolina court case numbers follow a structured format that identifies the year, county, court type, and sequence. A typical General Sessions case number in Aiken County looks like this:
- Year — The two- or four-digit filing year (e.g., 2024)
- County code — A numeric code identifying Aiken County (02)
- Court type abbreviation — "GS" for General Sessions (criminal cases heard in Circuit Court)
- Sequential number — A unique number assigned in the order the case was filed
For example, a case number like 2024-GS-02-00123 indicates a General Sessions case filed in Aiken County in 2024. Enter this number into the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index to pull up the specific case record, including charges, hearing dates, and disposition.
If you only have a partial case number, try searching by the defendant's name instead and then locating the correct case from the results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Aiken
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The South Carolina Code of Laws section the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 16-13-30 for petit larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction. Felonies are tried in General Sessions (Circuit Court); misdemeanors may be handled in Magistrate or Municipal Court |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending — Case filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Case is currently being litigated or scheduled for hearings
- Disposed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All proceedings, including sentencing and post-trial matters, are complete
Hearing Types
- Bond hearing — Determines bail conditions shortly after arrest
- Preliminary hearing — Reviews whether probable cause exists (for felony charges)
- Arraignment — Formal reading of charges; defendant enters a plea
- Pre-trial hearing — Addresses motions, discovery, and scheduling before trial
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Court imposes punishment after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up on probation compliance or other post-disposition conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court (nolle prosequi is common in South Carolina)
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
- Pled to lesser charge — Original charge reduced as part of a plea agreement
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Aiken
From the Clerk of Court
The Aiken County Clerk of Court maintains official records for General Sessions (criminal) cases heard in Circuit Court. Certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted for legal proceedings.
How to request:
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Court's office at the Aiken County Judicial Center. Provide the case number or defendant name. Staff will locate the record and prepare certified copies.
- By mail: Send a written request with the defendant's full name, case number, date of birth, and a check or money order for the applicable fees to:
Identification: A valid government-issued photo ID is generally required for in-person requests. Requests for your own record may require additional verification.
From SLED (Statewide Criminal History)
For a comprehensive South Carolina criminal history report, use SLED CATCH online or contact SLED directly for fingerprint-based checks. SLED records cover arrests and dispositions reported statewide — not just Aiken County.
Expungement Records
If a record has been expunged, it will not appear in standard searches. Aiken County provides an expungement application form for eligible individuals seeking to have arrest and conviction records removed by court order.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Aiken
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SLED CATCH criminal history check | $25.00 (non-refundable) + $1.00 convenience fee | SLED CATCH |
| Court record copies (standard) | Varies; contact Clerk of Court | Aiken County Clerk of Court |
| Certified copies | Varies; typically includes per-page fee plus certification fee | Aiken County Clerk of Court |
| Search fee (in-person court records) | Contact Clerk of Court for current schedule | Aiken County Clerk of Court |
Processing times:
- SLED CATCH (online): Results are typically available immediately or within minutes for name-based searches.
- Clerk of Court (in person): Standard copies are often available the same day. Certified copies may take longer if the record must be retrieved from archives.
- Mail requests: Allow several business days for processing, plus mailing time. Complex or older records may take longer.
Fee schedules are governed by South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 30 (Public Records) and local court policies. Contact the Clerk of Court directly to confirm current fees before submitting a request.