Criminal records in Horry County, South Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. HorryCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Beyond that, official court systems such as the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, law enforcement agencies including the Horry County Sheriff's Office, and the Horry County Clerk of Court all provide access to criminal records through online tools, in-person visits, and written requests.
How to Search Criminal Records in Horry
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Horry County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose, but generally you should have at least one of the following:
- The individual's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Case number
- State ID (SID) number (for state criminal history searches)
Through HorryCourt.us
HorryCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available court record information in Horry County. You can search by name or case number to find criminal case details.
Online — State and County Systems
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — The SC Judicial Department Public Index lets you look up court cases statewide, including General Sessions (criminal) cases filed in Horry County. Search by party name or case number.
- SLED CATCH — The Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH) system, run by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, provides a name-based search of South Carolina criminal history records. A fee applies.
- Detention Center Bookings & Releases — The Horry County Sheriff's Office publishes recent bookings and releases from the J. Reuben Long Detention Center online. This shows current and recent arrest data, charges, and bond status.
- Horry County Online Services — The county's Online Services portal provides links to court rosters, dockets, detention center records, and the sex offender registry.
In Person
Visit the Horry County Clerk of Court office at the courthouse in Conway. Public access terminals or assistance from clerk staff may be available for looking up General Sessions case records. Bring a valid photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Court — Submit a written request to the Horry County Clerk of Court specifying the defendant's name, date of birth, and/or case number. Include any applicable fees.
- SLED Criminal History — For a formal South Carolina criminal history report, submit a request through SLED. Fingerprint-based checks are available for employment and licensing purposes; name-based checks can be run through CATCH.
Search Horry Criminal Cases by Case Number
South Carolina court case numbers follow a standard format that identifies the county, year, case type, and sequence. A typical General Sessions (criminal) case number in Horry County looks like this:
- County code — A four-digit number identifying Horry County (2626)
- Year — The two- or four-digit filing year
- Case type prefix — "GS" for General Sessions (felonies and serious misdemeanors), or "MG" for Magistrate criminal cases
- Sequence number — A unique number assigned in order of filing
For example, a case number like 2626-2024-GS-01234 would indicate a General Sessions case filed in Horry County in 2024. Enter this number into the SC Judicial Department Public Index or provide it to the Clerk of Court to pull up the specific case file.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Horry
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 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 heard in General Sessions Court; misdemeanors may be heard in Magistrate or Municipal Court |
| Amended charges | The original charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations; the amended charge replaces or supplements the original |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, motions filed)
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; no further court action expected
Hearings
- Arraignment / Bond hearing — The defendant is formally notified of charges and bond is set
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (typically for felony charges)
- Pre-trial / Status hearing — The court reviews case progress, pending motions, and potential plea offers
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — If convicted, the judge imposes a sentence
- Review hearing — Post-disposition check on compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted at trial or by plea
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed / Nolle prosequi — The solicitor drops the charges
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
- Pled to lesser charge — Original charge reduced through plea agreement
Expunged cases will not appear in public searches. The Horry County Solicitor's Office handles expungement applications.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Horry
Horry County Clerk of Court
Certified copies of criminal case records — including indictments, dispositions, and sentencing orders — are available through the Clerk of Court's office. You can request them in person or by mail.
What you need:
- Defendant's full name and date of birth, or the case number
- A valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment for copy and certification fees
SLED — State Criminal History Records
For a comprehensive South Carolina criminal history report, submit a request to SLED. Name-based searches are available online through SLED CATCH. Fingerprint-based background checks require submission of a fingerprint card to SLED's headquarters in Columbia.
Police Reports
Incident and arrest reports from the Horry County Police Department can be requested through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, as authorized under South Carolina Code Title 30.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Horry
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 | Standard rate under SC law; confirm with clerk |
| Certification fee | $1.00 per document | Added to copy cost for certified copies |
| SLED CATCH name-based search | $25.00 | Online payment required; results returned electronically |
| SLED fingerprint-based background check | $25.00 | Requires fingerprint card submission by mail |
| General Sessions fines/fees payment | Varies | Pay online through Horry County online payments |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Clerk's office — Often same day for simple record lookups
- Mail requests to the Clerk — Typically 5–10 business days
- SLED CATCH (online) — Results are usually available within minutes
- SLED fingerprint-based checks — May take several weeks depending on volume
- FOIA requests for police reports — South Carolina law requires a response within 15 business days
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Clerk of Court or SLED directly to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.