Chesterfield County Warrant Records
Chesterfield County bench warrants are managed through the court system in the town of Chesterfield, the county seat. Clerk Christy F. Gaddy oversees circuit court records, and Sheriff Campbell Streater leads the office that serves warrants. If you need to search for bench warrants in Chesterfield County, you can use the South Carolina Public Index online or visit the clerk of court in person. The magistrate court operates separately and has its own bench warrant process. Most court records, including bench warrants, are public and available for review in Chesterfield County.
Bench Warrants Explained
A bench warrant is a form of process issued from the bench for attachment or arrest. Judges in Chesterfield County issue bench warrants when a person does not comply with a court order. The most common cause is missing a court date. Other causes include failing to pay fines and breaking bond terms.
A bench warrant is not an arrest warrant. Arrest warrants begin a criminal case. Bench warrants do not. They bring a person back to court for a case already filed. If you have an active bench warrant in Chesterfield County, it means a judge has ordered your return to court.
Chesterfield County Clerk of Court
The Chesterfield County Clerk of Court handles all circuit court records. This includes bench warrants, case files, and court orders. Clerk Christy F. Gaddy runs this office at 200 W Main St in Chesterfield. Staff can help you search for bench warrants and get copies of documents.
Criminal record checks are available through the clerk for $10. You need to bring a photo ID, your Social Security number, and date of birth. This check covers circuit court records in Chesterfield County. It can show if bench warrants have been issued in your name or in someone else's case.
One important thing to know is that magistrate cases are not handled through the clerk of court in Chesterfield County. Those records are kept at the magistrate court. If you think a bench warrant came from a magistrate case, you need to call that court directly.
| Office |
Chesterfield County Clerk of Court 200 W Main St Chesterfield, SC 29709 Phone: (843) 623-2574 |
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Note: Criminal record checks in Chesterfield County require $10, a photo ID, Social Security number, and date of birth.
Chesterfield County Court System
The Chesterfield County Clerk of Court website provides details about court services, record requests, and office hours. Visit the clerk's page for the latest information.
The circuit court in Chesterfield County handles felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, and family court matters. Bench warrants from any of these divisions are maintained by the clerk.
Search Warrants Online
The Chesterfield County Public Index is a free tool for searching court records. You can look up cases by name or case number. The Action tab on each case shows all court actions, including bench warrants. This is the easiest way to check for bench warrants in Chesterfield County without going to the courthouse.
Enter the person's last name to start your search. The results list all matching cases. Click on a case to see details. Look at the Action tab for bench warrant entries. If a bench warrant was issued, it will appear there with the date and reason.
You can also use the statewide case records search to look across all South Carolina counties at once. This is helpful if the person may have cases in more than one county.
Chesterfield County Sheriff
The Chesterfield County Sheriff serves all bench warrants issued by the courts. Sheriff Campbell Streater heads this office. Once a bench warrant is signed, deputies are tasked with finding and arresting the named person. Call the sheriff to ask about active bench warrants.
The detention center is at 319 Goodale Rd. If you need to turn yourself in on a bench warrant in Chesterfield County, contact the sheriff first for instructions. Turning in voluntarily often results in a faster bond hearing and better treatment by the court.
| Office |
Chesterfield County Sheriff 203 Watson St Chesterfield, SC 29709 Phone: (843) 623-2101 |
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| Detention |
319 Goodale Rd Phone: (843) 623-3385 |
Bench Warrant Laws
South Carolina law governs how bench warrants work in Chesterfield County. Under S.C. Code Section 22-5-115, magistrates can issue a summons instead of a warrant for certain matters. If the person fails to appear after the summons, the court then issues a bench warrant. This applies to magistrate cases in Chesterfield County.
For bond-related bench warrants, S.C. Code Section 38-53-70 applies. When a person breaks their bond conditions, the court issues a bench warrant. The surety has 90 days to produce the person or the bond is forfeited. This law covers all Chesterfield County cases where a bail bond is involved.
The Summary Court Bench Book tells magistrates to use bench warrants sparingly. Courts should try to reschedule first. Under Rule 13, a person arrested on a bench warrant must receive a bond hearing within 24 hours. These rules protect the rights of people in Chesterfield County who are brought back to court on bench warrants.
Records Requests
Bench warrants in Chesterfield County are public records. Under S.C. Code Section 30-4-30, the Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request these records. Submit a written request to the clerk or sheriff. Include the person's name and any case numbers you know.
The office must respond within 10 business days. They may extend this to 20 business days if the records take longer to pull. Copy fees apply for paper records. The Chesterfield County Clerk of Court can tell you the current fee schedule when you call.
Note: Magistrate court records in Chesterfield County must be requested from the magistrate court directly, not from the clerk of court.
Nearby Counties
Chesterfield County is in the northeastern part of South Carolina near the North Carolina border. Bench warrants are specific to each county. If you are unsure which county issued a warrant, check the surrounding areas as well.