Union County Bench Warrant Records
Union County bench warrants are processed through the courthouse at 210 W Main St in Union, the county seat. The Clerk of Court, the Sheriff's Office, and the magistrate court each handle different parts of the bench warrant process. Union County provides public access terminals at the courthouse where visitors can look up court records. For those who cannot visit in person, the South Carolina Public Index offers a way to search bench warrant records from Union County online.
Understanding Union County Bench Warrants
A bench warrant is a judge's order. It tells law enforcement to find a person and bring them to court. The SC Summary Court Bench Book calls it a "form of process issued from the bench for attachment or arrest of a person." This type of warrant does not start a new criminal case. It is linked to a case that already exists in the Union County court system.
Most bench warrants in Union County stem from three situations. First, a person fails to appear for a hearing. Second, a person does not pay a fine or fee that the court ordered. Third, a person is tried in their absence, found guilty, and the court needs them present to impose a sentence. All three create a bench warrant that goes on file at the Union County courthouse. These warrants do not expire. They stay active until the court clears them.
Note: Bench warrants differ from arrest warrants. An arrest warrant brings someone in for new charges. A bench warrant brings someone back for an existing matter in Union County.
Looking Up Warrants in Union County
The Union County Public Index is the easiest way to start. This free tool from the South Carolina Judicial Branch covers circuit court cases. Search by name or case number. When you pull up a case, look at the action entries. Terms like "Bench Warrant Issued" or "Failure to Comply" show that a bench warrant was part of the case history in Union County.
The courthouse at 210 W Main St has public access terminals. You can walk in and search records on your own. Staff at the Clerk of Court office can also help. Clerk Stephanie Candler Kitchens is available at (864) 429-1630 or by email at Skitchens@countyofunion.com. The office handles questions about case records, including bench warrants.
For active bench warrant checks, the Union County Sheriff's Office is the best contact. Call (864) 429-2818 or the records line at (864) 429-1612. The sheriff's office is at 322 E Main St in Union. Deputies serve all bench warrants in the county and track which ones are still active.
- Search the Public Index online for free
- Use courthouse terminals for in-person lookups
- Call the sheriff's records line at (864) 429-1612
- Email the Clerk of Court with case questions
South Carolina Bench Warrant Laws
South Carolina Code Section 38-53-70 governs bond conditions and bench warrants that apply to cases in Union County, as shown in the SC Code reference below.
This statute gives a surety or bail bond company 90 days to locate a defendant who has violated bond conditions. If the surety fails, the bond amount is forfeited. This rule applies across all courts in Union County.
| Clerk of Court |
Stephanie Candler Kitchens, Clerk of Court 210 W Main St Union, SC 29379 Phone: (864) 429-1630 Email: Skitchens@countyofunion.com |
|---|---|
| Sheriff |
Union County Sheriff's Office 322 E Main St Union, SC Phone: (864) 429-2818 Records: (864) 429-1612 |
| Magistrate |
Chief Magistrate Kevin Morrow 210 W Main St Union, SC Phone: (864) 429-1648 |
Union County Magistrate Court
Chief Magistrate Kevin Morrow oversees the magistrate court at 210 W Main St. You can reach this court at (864) 429-1648. Magistrate courts in Union County handle traffic cases, minor criminal matters, and small claims. When a person fails to show for a magistrate court hearing, the judge can issue a bench warrant.
South Carolina law gives magistrates an alternative. Under Section 22-5-115, a magistrate can issue a summons instead of a bench warrant. This is a notice that tells the person to appear by a certain date. It is less severe than a bench warrant. However, if the person ignores the summons, the magistrate will then issue a bench warrant in Union County. The summons option works for cases where the court believes the person will come in on their own.
Bond Violations in Union County
Bond conditions are serious. When a judge in Union County sets bond, the defendant agrees to follow specific rules. These might include staying in the area, reporting to an officer, or avoiding contact with certain people. A violation of any condition can result in a bench warrant.
Under Section 38-53-70, the surety has 90 days to bring the person back once a bench warrant is issued for a bond violation. Judges in Union County also follow Rule 13, which calls for bench warrants to be used sparingly in bond matters. The court prefers to reschedule hearings when possible. But serious or repeated violations will lead to a bench warrant every time.
After arrest on a bench warrant, a bond hearing must happen within 24 hours. The judge reviews the situation and sets new bond conditions or holds the person without bond until the next court date in Union County.
Public Records Requests
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Section 30-4-10 makes bench warrant records available to the public. You do not need to be a party to the case. Anyone can request these records from Union County offices.
Submit a written request to the Clerk of Court or the Sheriff's Office. The response deadline is 10 business days for recent records and 20 business days for older ones. Copy fees apply for printed documents. The clerk's office can tell you the exact cost when you submit your request for Union County records.
Note: Title 17, Chapter 13 of the SC Code sets the rules for criminal procedures, including the issuance and service of bench warrants across all South Carolina counties.
How to Address a Bench Warrant
If you have a bench warrant in Union County, handle it right away. Call the Clerk of Court at (864) 429-1630. Ask what the court needs from you. Often they will set a new hearing date. You can also go to the sheriff's office at 322 E Main St and turn yourself in. This gives you more control over the process than waiting to be picked up during a traffic stop or at your home.
An attorney can step in for you. A lawyer can contact the Union County court, request a bond hearing, or arrange a surrender date. This approach helps you avoid the surprise of an unplanned arrest. Check the SC Judicial Branch case records search to see where your case stands before making your next move.
Waiting makes it worse. Bond amounts go up. The court may add penalties. A bench warrant in Union County does not go away by itself. The only way to clear it is to face the court and resolve the underlying issue.
Nearby Counties
Union County shares borders with several South Carolina counties. A bench warrant from Union County is valid statewide. Law enforcement in any county can serve it. If you think you may have warrants in more than one county, check the Public Index for each one.