Kershaw County Bench Warrants
Kershaw County bench warrants are issued by courts in Camden, the county seat. The Clerk of Court office on Broad Street handles bench warrant inquiries and provides court record access. Kershaw County also publishes court rosters online, which can help you track upcoming cases. You can search bench warrant records through the South Carolina Public Index or by contacting the Clerk of Court or Sheriff's Office directly. Most bench warrant records in Kershaw County are open to the public under state law. The county does not have a separate online warrant lookup tool.
What Is a Bench Warrant
A bench warrant is a court order that directs law enforcement to arrest a person and bring them before a judge. The SC Summary Court Bench Book defines it as a "form of process issued from the bench for attachment or arrest of a person." It is not the same as an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant starts a new criminal case. A bench warrant addresses someone who already has a pending case in the Kershaw County court system.
Courts in Kershaw County issue bench warrants for failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. This is the most common reason. Missing a court date leaves the judge with no choice but to issue the warrant. Failure to pay a fine or court cost on time is another trigger. Sometimes a defendant is tried in their absence and found guilty. The bench warrant then compels their arrest so the court can carry out the sentence.
Search Kershaw County Court Records
The Kershaw County Public Index is free and open to all. Search by name or case number. Click the Action tab on any case to look for entries like "Failure to Comply" or "Archived Bench Warrant." These entries show bench warrant activity in that case. The Public Index covers circuit and summary court cases in Kershaw County.
Kershaw County also offers court rosters online. These show upcoming court dates and cases on the docket. While they do not list active bench warrants directly, they can help you confirm whether a case is still pending or has been resolved in Kershaw County.
For the most current bench warrant status, contact the Kershaw County Clerk of Court at 803-425-1500. The office is at 1121 Broad St, Camden, SC 29020. You can also reach the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office at 803-425-1512. Both offices can confirm if a bench warrant is active.
The SLED CATCH system through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division provides statewide background checks for $25. Results may include bench warrant data from Kershaw County courts.
Note: The Clerk of Court charges a non-refundable search fee for record lookups. Copy costs are separate. Payment must be by certified check or money order.
Kershaw County Records Access
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act governs how the public can access bench warrant records. The statute is available through the SC Legislature website.
Under FOIA, bench warrant records in Kershaw County are public. You can request copies from the Clerk of Court or the Sheriff's Office. Offices have 10 business days to respond for records less than 24 months old. Older records allow 20 business days. Copy fees apply at standard rates.
| Clerk of Court |
Kershaw County Clerk of Court 1121 Broad St Camden, SC 29020 Phone: 803-425-1500 |
|---|---|
| Sheriff |
Kershaw County Sheriff's Office Phone: 803-425-1512 |
| Website | kershawcountysc.net |
Magistrate Court Bench Warrants
The Kershaw County Magistrate Court issues many of the bench warrants in the county. This court handles traffic cases, minor criminal charges, and small claims. When a person misses a court date for one of these cases, the magistrate issues a bench warrant right from the bench.
Under Section 22-5-115 of the South Carolina Code, a magistrate can issue a summons instead of a bench warrant first. This gives the person one more chance to appear on their own. If they still do not show up, the bench warrant follows. Kershaw County magistrates use this option as allowed by state law.
Anyone arrested on a bench warrant in Kershaw County must go before a judge within 24 hours. Bond is set at that hearing. The person then needs to appear in the court that originally issued the bench warrant.
Bond Violations and Warrants
Bond violations produce bench warrants in Kershaw County. Under Section 38-53-70, when a defendant violates bond conditions, the court issues a bench warrant. The surety has 90 days to locate the person and return them to court. If the surety does not succeed, they risk losing the full bond amount.
Bond conditions in Kershaw County may include curfews, travel limits, or reporting requirements. Breaking any of these can result in a bench warrant. The Kershaw County Sheriff's Office carries out the arrest once the bench warrant is active. Under Rule 13, courts prefer to reschedule hearings rather than issue bench warrants for bond violations when the circumstances allow it.
Note: A bench warrant for a bond violation is treated more seriously than one for a missed court date in Kershaw County.
Resolving Kershaw County Warrants
If you have a bench warrant in Kershaw County, address it as soon as you can. Call the Clerk of Court at 803-425-1500. Ask about your case status and what the court needs. The court may set a new hearing date for you.
An attorney can help too. A lawyer can contact the court, arrange a surrender date, or request a bond hearing. This approach avoids a surprise arrest. The SC Judicial Branch website lets you look up your case online first.
- Contact the clerk to check your case
- Hire a lawyer for guidance
- Turn yourself in at the sheriff's office
- Attend the new hearing date
Delay only makes things harder. Bond amounts go up. Additional charges may follow. Handling a bench warrant promptly leads to the best result in Kershaw County.
South Carolina Bench Warrant Laws
Title 17, Chapter 13 of the South Carolina Code covers warrants and arrests. These statutes apply in Kershaw County and every other county in the state. A bench warrant cannot be used to start a new criminal case. It only applies to someone who already has an open case. If you are told a bench warrant exists for you in Kershaw County, it means a court obligation was missed.
South Carolina has roughly 300 magistrate courts across its 46 counties. Each one can issue bench warrants. The SC Summary Court Bench Book is the reference guide these judges rely on. Kershaw County courts follow the same standards and procedures laid out in this book.
Nearby Counties
Kershaw County borders several other South Carolina counties. Bench warrants are enforceable statewide. A warrant from Kershaw County can be served by any law enforcement agency in the state. Use the Public Index for each county to search nearby areas.