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  1. Lexington County Court
  2. Lexington County Arrest Records

Lexington County, South Carolina Arrest Records

In Lexington County, arrest records are formal documents created when a law enforcement agency arrests an individual and books them into custody. According to South Carolina’s public records law(South Carolina Freedom of Information Act), they are generally considered public records and are subject to disclosure unless they fall under statutory exemptions, such as juvenile records, sealed or expunged records, or information restricted due to ongoing investigations. While criminal records checks in South Carolina are handled through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), mainly for background screening and employment-related purposes, the state regulates how criminal offender information is accessed and used under state law. 

The law enforcement agencies and courts make use of these records to handle cases and track custody status, and also allow individuals and authorized entities to verify case status, charges, bail information, and outcomes. Sometimes, they may also be important  in post-conviction processes such as expungement when eligible under South Carolina law. 

Arrest records may be held by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department or by local police departments such as  Lexington Police Department and Cayce Police Department  depending on where the arrest occurred. 

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Lexington County, South Carolina?

In Lexington County, arrest records are generally considered public information under South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (S.C Code §30-4-10 et seq). However, certain information may be withheld, which includes information that could interfere with an ongoing or forthcoming investigation or may affect a person’s right to a fair trial or impartial adjudication. 

Members of the public are generally not required to provide identification as the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act does not require it. However, agencies may request basic contact information, like a name or email address to process the request. Also, not being a resident does not prevent individuals from accessing public records. 

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

Under North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4), certain arrest-related information is publicly accessible, while full criminal investigation records are generally not accessible to the public. Arrest-related information often includes basic details about an individual’s arrest and related case status. These records usually list: 

  • The arrestee’s personal information
  • The date of the arrest, booking number, and place of detention
  • The alleged offense or charge
  • Bond details, including the amount set and bond type (if applicable)
  • Arresting law enforcement agency
  • Booking photograph or custody photo (if released by the agency)

Certain information in arrest records may be withheld under North Carolina law to protect investigations or privacy interests. This is mainly to prevent interference with law enforcement proceedings or protect sensitive personal details. They may include:

  • Criminal investigative records that the public is not allowed to access under North Carolina Law 
  • Evidence, witness statements, or investigative notes
  • Information that could interfere with an ongoing or forthcoming investigation
  • Information that could affect a person’s right to a fair trial

Lexington County Arrest Search

In South Carolina, arrests are commonly searched through several state and federal law enforcement resources. One starting point for record searches is the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), which provides an inmate search tool for locating individuals sentenced to state prison. The tool offers different search options, including an SCDC ID, SID, or a person’s first or last name, that shows details such as basic description, sentence type, housing facility, and parole or release eligibility. 

Another option at the state level is the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) which is an investigative agency that offers criminal record searches using a name-based search. A non-refundable fee is required for a South Carolina criminal records check, and additional charges may apply for online background searches. 

Also, criminal history information may be accessed through the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), which maintains national criminal history information through systems that run fingerprint-based checks used by authorized agencies. Requesters may be required to pay a fee. These resources give access to general inmate and criminal history information, but full arrest records or detailed reports may require formal requests through the appropriate agencies. 

Lexington County Inmate Locator 

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department provides an Inmate Search Inquiry tool that allows members of the public to locate individuals currently in custody. The room can be accessed without creating an account and is generally free to use. 

The system provides basic information about individuals in custody, including identifying details and custody status. Searches can be done by using name or other identifying information. Some records may also include custody details, such as booking information, release date, next court date, or bond information. 

Individuals may contact the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department in person or by phone for further assistance:

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department 

521 Gibson Road 

Lexington, SC 29072

Phone: (803) 785-8230 

Active Warrant Search in Lexington County 

An arrest warrant is a signed document  issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to arrest an individual. Warrants are usually issued when there’s a probable cause to believe someone has committed a crime or when they fail to appear in court. They include the person’s name, the alleged offense, the issuing court, and instructions for law enforcement on how to carry out the arrest. 

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department allows members of the public to make inquiries regarding active warrants. Since Lexington County does not provide a public online warrant search database, individuals may contact the Sheriff’s Department to obtain information about active warrants. 

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department 

521 Gibson Road 

Lexington, SC 29072

Phone: (803) 785-820 

How to Find Arrest Records For Free in Lexington County, South Carolina 

Finding arrest records for free in Lexington County is primarily done through local law enforcement resources that provide basic custody and booking information. These options allow members of the public to access recent arrest data without submitting formal requests in some cases. 

  • Online search: The Lexington County  Sheriff’s Department provides an Inmate Search Inquiry tool that allows members of the public to locate individuals currently in custody. The tool can be accessed without creating an account and is generally free to use. The system can be used by entering a name (first, last, or middle name), main offense, arrest date, booking agency or other identifying information. When the available results are displayed, it may contain basic identifying information such as age, gender, race, and physical descriptors. It may also show custody details, such as booking information, release date, next court date, and bond amount. 
  • Sheriff’s Office: Individuals may request more records through the Sheriff’s Department via a formal request under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Requests are usually required for more detailed documents such as full arrest reports or supporting case information, and access may involve fees depending on the type of record requested. The Sheriff’s Department is located at 521 Gibson Road, Lexington, South Carolina 29072. 
  • Police Department: City police departments within Lexington County also provide access to arrest records. For example, the Cayne Police Department, members of the public may request arrest records or police reports through a FOIA request, but certain exemptions may apply, such as protection of victims’ privacy and interference with an ongoing investigation. Victims listed in the report are allowed to obtain copies free of charge. FOIA requests can be completed online, or individuals may visit in person at 2 Lavern Jumper Road, Cayce, South Carolina 29033, or email Policefoia@caycesc.gov when submitting a request. Record seekers should note that FOIA requests may involve a fee. The Lexington Police Department provides incident reports in person or by phone. Individuals looking to obtain a report may visit in person at 11 Malden Lane, Lexington, SC 29072, or call for assistance at 803-359-6260. A fee may be charged depending on the type of record requested. 

Even though these options provide access to basic arrest information, they may not include older records or complete reports, and some information may be restricted due to privacy laws or ongoing investigations. 

Lexington County Arrest Report 

An arrest record is a formal written document that shows basic information about an arrest, including the individual’s personal details, the date and time of the arrest, the law enforcement agency involved, and the charges filed. It usually appears as a summary entry in a custodial or case system that shows that an arrest took place. However, an arrest report is created by a law enforcement agency and includes the arresting officer’s narrative account, along with any available witness statements if available. 

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Lexington County, South Carolina 

In Lexington County, South Carolina, individuals looking to clear an arrest record may go through a process known as expungement. This allows certain records to be removed from public access. Unlike some states, South Carolina does not use record sealing in the same way, so expungement is the primary method, although it is only in specific situations under state law. 

You may be able to move forward with expungement if: 

  • The charges were dismissed or prosecutor has decided to stop pursuing the case 
  • You were found not guilty 
  • The case does not result in a conviction 
  • You completed a diversion program and meet eligibility requirements 

Arrest Record Expungement Process 

To begin, individuals typically need to submit an expungement application in the county where the arrest occurred. In Lexington County, this process is handled through the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Applicants are usually required to provide court records or case details and pay any applicable fees. 

Once the application is submitted. It is reviewed to determine if the case meets the eligibility requirements under South Carolina law. In some cases, additional agencies may review the request before a final decision is made. If approved, the record is removed from public access. 

How Do You Remove Lexington County Arrest Records From the Internet? 

Sealing records refers to restricting public access to court and arrest records, while expungement refers to the legal process of removing records so they are no longer available in official law enforcement systems. These legal processes may result in arrest records being removed from public online visibility when ordered by a court in Lexington County, South Carolina, although expungement is the primary method available under state law. 

Depending on the case, arrest records may be eligible for expungement under South Carolina law. Individuals whose charges were dismissed, found not guilty, or whose cases did not result in a conviction may qualify. In some instances, certain eligible convictions may also be considered under state law.