Criminal records in Richland County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. RichlandSCCourt.us allows you to find publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, official state court systems, law enforcement agencies — including SLED — and the Richland County Clerk of Court's office provide access to records both online and in person.
How to Search Criminal Records in Richland
Start your search on RichlandSCCourt.us, where you can view public information about county criminal cases. For a more in-depth search, use one of the methods below.
Online Search
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index allows you to search general jurisdiction and family court cases by name or case number. Select "Richland" from the list of counties.
- Columbia Municipal Court Cases — records are maintained by Richland County. Go to the Columbia Municipal Court case view page and select Columbia Municipal Court.
- SLED CATCH — the Citizens Access to Criminal Histories system allows you to view and print a person's criminal history by name.
- Detention Center Inmate Search — Richland County Detention Center Public Access shows individuals currently in custody.
- SC Department of Corrections — search for inmates serving sentences in state correctional facilities.
- Probation and Parole — SCDPPPS database for searching individuals under supervision.
In-Person Visit
The Richland County Clerk of Court accepts record search requests at the courthouse. Public terminals are available to view the case index. Bring identification with you.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the Richland County Clerk of Court or to SLED for an official criminal history. Include the person's full name, date of birth, and, if known, the case number. Include payment in the form of a money order.
For the search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth
- Case number
- Social Security number (only for requests through SLED)
Search Richland Criminal Cases by Case Number
In South Carolina, the case number has a standard format, which is decoded as follows:
- Year — the last two digits of the year the case was filed (e.g., "24" for 2024)
- Case type code — a letter code indicating the category: "GS" for General Sessions (felonies), "CR" for magistrate criminal cases
- Sequential number — a unique numerical identifier within the year and type
Example: 2024-GS-40-00123, where "40" is the Richland County code in the state system. Enter this number into the SC Judicial Department Public Index to go directly to the desired case without browsing through lists of namesakes.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Richland
Charges
| Item | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the South Carolina Code of Laws (e.g., § 16-13-30 — theft) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may reduce or change charges during the case — the new charge is displayed as a separate line |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is under review or awaiting a hearing
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are complete, the case is archived
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first court session where the defendant is read the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial
- Pre-trial — parties discuss procedural issues and the possibility of a plea agreement
- Sentencing — the court imposes a penalty after a guilty plea
- Review — checks compliance with the terms of punishment or probation
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not guilty | Found not guilty after substantive review |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict — at the initiative of the prosecutor or court |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges; the case may be reopened |
| Acquitted | The court or jury acquitted the defendant |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Richland
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for employment, licensing, or court proceedings in another jurisdiction. Here's where to apply.
Richland County Clerk of Court
Issues certified copies of court cases — judgments, orders, hearing transcripts. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail.
What is needed for the request:
- Completed request form (available at the clerk's office)
- Photo identification
- Case number or full name and date of birth of the person
- Payment — cash, money order, or certified check
SLED — State Criminal History
To obtain a complete criminal history within South Carolina, submit a request through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Fingerprint-based criminal history checks are processed by SLED and usually take longer than name-based searches through CATCH.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Richland
| Service | Cost | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| SLED CATCH Search (online, by name) | $25 per request | Instant or within a few minutes |
| Fingerprint-based Criminal History Check (SLED) | $25 | 10–15 business days |
| Court Document Copy (Clerk of Court) | $0.25–$0.50 per page | Usually 1–3 business days |
| Document Certification (Clerk of Court) | $1.00 per document | During visit or 3–5 business days by mail |
Fees are set according to the South Carolina Code of Laws (S.C. Code § 8-21-310 and related provisions). Payment through online portals may include an additional third-party service fee. Confirm current amounts directly with the clerk's office or on the SLED website before submitting a request, as fees are periodically reviewed.