South Carolina Self Help and Legal Research
This page provides information about Self Help and Legal Research resources in South Carolina.
Links are grouped by those that cover courts statewide, for multiple counties, and then by individual county.
South Carolina - Statewide Courts Self Help
South Carolina Legal Resources
The South Carolina Judicial Department offers links to online legal resources, including government agencies, laws, legal services, the South Carolina Bar, and law schools.
South Carolina Legal Publications
The South Carolina Bar offers downloadable brochures and forms on various legal topics, including financial issues, end of life directives, senior issues, guardians ad litem, children and the law, and more.
South Carolina Child Support Services and Modification
View information about child support services in South Carolina, including paternity establishment, locating parents, custody and visitation, child support guidelines, and an online support calculator. Answers to frequently asked questions, links to forms and documents, and child support modification information for self-represented parties are also provided.
South Carolina Traffic and Motor Vehicle Information
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles offers information about drivers' licenses, driving records, vehicle titles and registration, and insurance requirements.
South Carolina Legal Information
The South Carolina Bar offers information about many common legal topics.
South Carolina Legal Information and Legal Resources
View information about legal issues organized by category, including consumer, housing, family and juvenile, elder law, health care, taxes, public benefits, education, and disaster relief.
South Carolina Alternative Dispute Resolution
The South Carolina Bar provides information about alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration, which can help parties resolve disputes without going to court.
South Carolina Record Expungement Process
View instructions for applying for an expungement of criminal records in Circuit Court General Sessions, Magistrates Court, and Municipal Court; juvenile records including a link to the required form; and destruction of arrest records.
South Carolina Self-Help Information
View South Carolina Judicial Department self-help resources, including answers to frequently asked questions in English and Spanish; links to divorce, child support, and firearm restriction relief form packets; self help videos by topic; and additional online research resources.
Clemson University Municipal Court Pre Trial Intervention Program
View information on the Clemson University Municipal Court Pre Trial Intervention Program, which allows participants to be diverted from conviction and instead enter a program of restitution and counseling.
South Carolina Domestic Abuse Protection Order Information
View information about domestic abuse protection orders, including information about types of orders, filing instructions, court procedure, and a directory of resources.
South Carolina Laws
Search the South Carolina Code of Laws with a keyword quick search, or browse by subject title and chapter.
South Carolina Court Rules
Search South Carolina court rules by keyword, or browse Civil, Criminal, Family Probate, Magistrate, ADR, and Evidence rules by table of contents.
South Carolina Expungement and Pardons
The South Carolina Bar offers information about criminal record expungements and pardons, including eligible cases, how to apply, effects of an expungement, and the differences between expungement and pardon.
South Carolina Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services
View a directory of South Carolina domestic violence and sexual assault shelters and organizations, in alphabetical order by county.
South Carolina Victims' Compensation
The South Carolina Office of Victim Assistance provides crime victims with compensation for physical and emotional injuries. Information about victims' rights, types of compensation available, eligibility criteria, answers to frequently asked questions, and application forms are included.
South Carolina Consumer Protection
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs offers information about consumer issues, including business complaints, scams, identity theft and privacy, credit and debt relief. Instructions and forms for filing a consumer complaint and a search of the complaint database are also provided.
South Carolina Victim Help
The South Carolina Victim Assistance Network provides crime victims with information, educational resources, referrals, advocacy, and financial assistance. A directory of Victim Advocates by county is included under the "Resources" menu tab.
South Carolina Juvenile Justice
The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers information about the juvenile justice process, and publications about juvenile justice matters including victim services and the Juvenile Arbitration Program that can divert some first-time offenders from the formal justice system.
South Carolina Magistrate's Court Information
View and download a guide to South Carolina Magistrate's Courts, including answers to frequently asked questions, definitions, forms, and rules.
South Carolina Mortgage and Foreclosure Assistance and Information
SC HELP offers information about its mortgage assistance programs, the foreclosure process, foreclosure prevention, and links to additional resources including counseling agencies.
South Carolina Multiple County Courts Self Help
9th Judicial Circuit Diversion
View information about diversion programs in Berkeley and Charleston Counties, including Pretrial Intervention, Alcohol Education, Traffic Education, and Worthless Check. Successful completion of these programs can result in dismissal of charges for some non-violent first-time offenders. Links to forms, instructions, and brochures are provided.
9th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Arbitration
View information about the Juvenile Arbitration Program in Berkeley and Charleston Counties, which can divert some first-time offenders from the formal justice system and result in no record of a conviction.
9th Judicial Circuit Expungement
View information about expungement of criminal and juvenile records in Berkeley and Charleston Counties, including types of records that can be expunged, instructions, forms, and a search of expungement application status by case number.
9th Judicial Circuit Glossary
View a glossary of helpful legal terms compiled by the 9th Judicial Circuit Office of the Solicitor in Berkeley and Charleston Counties.
5th Judicial Circuit Expungement
View information about expungement of criminal and juvenile records in Kershaw and Richland Counties, including types of records that can be expunged and procedure.
5th Judicial Circuit Diversion and Treatment Court Programs
View information about diversion programs in Kershaw and Richland Counties, including Pretrial Intervention, Alcohol Education, and Traffic Education; and treatment court programs including Drug Court, Veterans Court, and DUI Treatment Court.
5th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Programs
View information about juvenile diversion and treatment court programs in Kershaw and Richland Counties, including Juvenile Court Alternatives Program, Juvenile Drug Court, and Juvenile Mental Health Court.
8th Judicial Circuit Diversion
View information about diversion programs in Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry Counties, including Pretrial Intervention, Alcohol Education, Drug Court, Traffic Education, Veterans Court, and Juvenile Arbitration. Links to forms are included.
8th Judicial Circuit Expungement
View information about expungement of criminal and juvenile records in Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry Counties, including types of records that can be expunged and procedures.
8th Judicial Circuit Victim/Witness Help
The 8th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office Victim Witness Program provides information and support for crime victims and witnesses in Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry Counties.
10th Judicial Circuit Drug Court
View information about Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts in Anderson and Oconee Counties, which can set up treatment in lieu of incarceration for some offenders with substance abuse problems.
10th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Programs
View information about the Juvenile Arbitration Program, juvenile drug court, and victim/witness services in Anderson and Oconee Counties.
10th Judicial Circuit Pre-Trial Intervention and Expungement
View information about the Pre-Trial Intervention Program in Anderson and Oconee Counties, which can divert some non-violent first offenders from the formal justice system. Information about expungement of criminal records is also provided.
14th Judicial Circuit Programs, Services, and Expungement
The 14th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office, serving Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties, offers information about its services for crime victims including victims' rights, victim's advocates, domestic violence, and domestic violence organizations; programs including adult and juvenile Pre-Trial Intervention and Multi-Disciplinary Court, Juvenile Arbitration, Alcohol Education, Traffic Education; and expungements of criminal records. Links to forms are provided. Links to services and programs are at the top of the page.
2nd Judicial Circuit Solicitor Programs
The 2nd Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office offers information about its Pre-Trial Intervention, Juvenile Arbitration, Victim-Witness Assistance, and Worthless Check Programs in Aiken, Bamberg, and Barnwell Counties. Information about Aiken County Juvenile Drug Court is also provided.
4th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Information
4th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office offers information about criminal procedure, bond hearings, victims' rights, Pre-Trial Diversion, victim impact statements, restitution, and more.
12th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Programs and Information
View information about Solicitor's Office programs in Florence and Marion Counties, including Pre-Trial Intervention, Alcohol Education, Traffic Education, Worthless Checks Unit, Juvenile Diversion, Juvenile and Adult Drug Courts, and Adult DUI Court. Links to brochures and forms are provided. Upcoming criminal trial lists, initial and docket appearance schedules, an initial appearance attendance waiver form, and court orders are also available.
13th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Programs, Services, and Information
The 13th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office offers information about diversion services and programs in Greenville and Pickens Counties, including Alcohol Education Program, Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts, Mental Health Court, Pre-Trial Intervention, Traffic Education, Juvenile Arbitration, and Juvenile Diversion; a glossary of common terms; and information about expungement of criminal records, including instructions and forms. Links are in the left column.
15th Judicial Circuit Treatment Courts
View information about Horry County and Georgetown Drug Court and Horry County Mental Health Court, which can set up treatment in lieu of incarceration for some offenders with substance abuse or mental health problems.
15th Judicial Circuit Diversion Programs
View information about Solicitor's Intervention Programs in Georgetown and Horry Counties, which can result in dismissed charges for some offenders. Programs include Pretrial Intervention, Alcohol Education, Traffic Education, Juvenile Diversion, Juvenile Arbitration, and CHANGE for juveniles. Links to individual program details are at the "Diversion Programs" menu item near the top of the page.
7th Judicial Circuit Criminal Information
The 7th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office provides answers to frequently asked questions about criminal cases in Cherokee and Spartanburg Counties, including types of hearings, types of cases, procedure, victims' rights, crime reports, restitution, and expungement of records.
7th Judicial Circuit Intervention Programs and Expungement
The 7th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office offers information about its Pre-Trial Intervention, Alcohol Education, and Traffic Education Programs in Cherokee and Spartanburg Counties. Links to forms and additional information about these programs, answers to frequently asked questions about expungement of criminal records, and an expungement application form are also provided.
7th Judicial Circuit Drug Court
View information about the 7th Judicial Circuit Drug Court, which can set up treatment in lieu of incarceration for some non-violent offenders in Cherokee and Spartanburg Counties with substance abuse problems.
3rd Judicial Circuit Pretrial Intervention
View information about the Pretrial Intervention Program in Clarendon, Lee, Sumter, and Williamsburg Counties, which can lead to dismissal of charges for some non-violent first-time offenders. Links to the program brochure and application are at the bottom of the page.
Beaufort County - Courts Self Help Resources
Beaufort County Circuit Court Alternative Dispute Resolution
View information about alternative dispute resolution, which includes mediation and arbitration and is required in most civil cases in Beaufort County Circuit Court.
Beaufort County Family Court Information
View answers to frequently asked questions about Beaufort County Family Court matters, including divorce, custody, visitation, and child support.
Beaufort County Magistrate Court Traffic and Criminal Procedure
View information about traffic and criminal procedure in Beaufort County Magistrate Court, including pleas, jury trials, and Public Defenders.
Bluffton Municipal Court Information
View answers to frequently asked questions about Bluffton Municipal Court, including fine payments, rescheduling court dates, jury trials, and copies.
Berkeley County - Courts Self Help Resources
Berkeley County Magistrate Court Restraining Order Information
View Berkeley County Magistrate Court restraining order procedures.
Berkeley Magistrate Court Eviction Information
View Berkeley County Magistrate Court eviction procedures.
Goose Creek Youth Court
View information about Goose Creek Youth Court, an alternative court for young non-violent offenders, staffed by teen volunteers.
Charleston County - Courts Self Help Resources
Charleston County Adult Drug Court
View information about Charleston County Adult Drug Court, which can set up treatment in lieu of incarceration for some offenders with substance abuse problems.
Charleston County Magistrates Court Information
View answers to frequently asked questions about Charleston County Magistrates Court, including types of cases, small claims, landlord/tenant, appeals, expungement of records, and use of attorneys.
Charleston County Mental Health Court
View information about Charleston County Mental Health Court, which can set up treatment in lieu of incarceration for some misdemeanor or non-violent felony offenders with mental health problems.
Charleston County Probate and Estate Information
View information about probating an estate in Charleston County Probate Court, including and overview of the process, required documents, and a glossary of terms.
Charleston County Protection and Restraining Orders
View information about domestic abuse protection orders and restraining orders in Charleston County, including types of orders and how to obtain them.
Folly Beach Municipal Court Parking Ticket Appeals
View instructions for appealing a parking ticket in Folly Beach Municipal Court, including bench trials, written appeals, and administrative reductions.
North Charleston Municipal Court Expuntement
View information about expungement of criminal records in North Charleston Municipal Court
Cherokee County - Courts Self Help Resources
Cherokee County Magistrate's Court Victim/Witness Information
View information for crime victims and witnesses from the Cherokee County Magistrate's Court, including rights, responsibilities, victims' compensation, and available support services and resources.
Dorchester County - Courts Self Help Resources
Dorchester County Probate Court Commitments
View information about involuntary commitment procedures for mental illness and chemical dependency, including drug/alcohol emergencies, in Dorchester County Probate Court.
Dorchester County Probate Court Estate Information
View information about estate procedure in Dorchester County Probate Court, including opening an estate, determining heirs, small estates, appointment of representative when there is no will, probate with a will, and duties of the personal representative.
Dorchester County Probate Court Glossary
View a glossary of legal terms helpful in Dorchester County Probate Court.
Greenville County - Courts Self Help Resources
Greenville County Family Court Information
View answers to frequently asked questions about Greenville County Family Court matters including child support, wage withholding, and filing instructions.
Greenville County Probate Court Information
View information about Greenville County Probate Court estates matters including frequently asked questions, downloadable pamphlets and brochures, and state resources; mental health commitment procedures and links to resources; guardianships and conservatorships ("protected proceedings") including procedures and general information; and mediation.
Greenville Municipal Court Information
View answers to frequently asked questions about Greenville Municipal Court, including court procedure, community service, domestic violence, orders of protection, license suspensions, fine payments, house arrest, jail, records and warrants, expungements, appeals, and general legal questions.
Greenwood County - Courts Self Help Resources
Greenwood County Family Court Child Support Information
View answers to frequently asked questions about child support matters in Greenwood County Family Court. Additional answers about payment accounting and wage withholding are at links in the left column.
Hampton County - Courts Self Help Resources
Hampton County Magistrate Court Information
View answers to frequently asked questions about Hampton County Magistrate Court matters, including types of civil cases and how to file, collecting a judgment, appeals, expungement, and the Pre-Trial Intervention Program.
Horry County - Courts Self Help Resources
North Myrtle Beach Municipal Court Alcohol Diversion Program
View information about the North Myrtle Beach Municipal Court Alcohol Diversion Program, which can lead to dismissed charges for some offenders.
North Myrtle Beach Municipal Court Jury Trials
View information about jury trials in North Myrtle Beach Municipal Court, including dates for jury roster calls and jury trial weeks, instructions, and a request form in English and Spanish.
North Myrtle Beach Municipal Court Pretrial Intervention
View information about the North Myrtle Beach Municipal Court Pretrial Intervention diversion program, which can lead to dismissed charges for some offenders.
Lancaster County - Courts Self Help Resources
Lancaster County Estate Information
View instructions for preparing an estate for probate in Lancaster County Probate Court.
Lancaster County Guardianships and Conservatorships
View answers to frequently asked questions about guardianships and conservatorships in Lancaster County Probate Court, including who needs a guardian or conservator, how to begin a proceeding, use of attorneys, and termination.
Lancaster County Probate Court Glossary
View a glossary of legal terms useful in Lancaster County Probate Court.
Lancaster County Probate Court Information
View answers to frequently asked questions about procedures in Lancaster County Probate Court, including estate planning, wills, types of esates, and probate.
Lexington County - Courts Self Help Resources
Lexington County Magistrate Court Information
View information about types of civil, criminal, and traffic cases heard in Lexington County Magistrate Court; and procedures including civil court rules, criminal jurisdiction, preliminary and bond hearings, Pre-Trial Intervention, and expungements. Links to statewide forms are also provided.
Lexington County Probate Court Estate Administration
View information about estate administration in Lexington County Probate Court, including types of estates and forms required for each type. Links to an explanation of the process, personal representative duties, answers to frequently asked questions, and a glossary of terms are provided.
Lexington County Probate Court Guardianships and Conservatorships
View information about guardianships and conservatorships in Lexington County Probate Court.
Lexington County Probate Court Involuntary Commitments
View information about involuntary mental health commitments in Lexington County Probate Court.
Oconee County - Courts Self Help Resources
Westminster Municipal Court Information
View answers to frequently asked questions about Westminster Municipal Court, including missed court dates, continuances, Public Defenders applications, fine payments, appeals, and license suspensions.
Orangeburg County - Courts Self Help Resources
Orangeburg County Probate Court Estate Information
View information about estate administration in Orangeburg County Probate Court, including wills, small estates, answers to frequently asked questions, and links to forms.
Orangeburg County Probate Court Guardianships and Conservatorships
View information about guardianships and conservatorships in Orangeburg County Probate Court, with links to forms.
Pickens County - Courts Self Help Resources
Clemson Municipal Court Diversion Programs
View information about Clemson Municipal Court Alcohol Education, Pretrial Intervention, and Traffic Education diversion programs.
Clemson Municipal Court Information
View information about appeals, expungement, certified records, continuance requests, fine payments, and proof of insurance in Clemson Municipal Court.
Clemson University Municipal Court Alcohol Education Program
View information on the Clemson University Municipal Court Alcohol Education Program, an alternative court for underage offenders.
Richland County - Courts Self Help Resources
Richland County Child Support Payment Inquiry
Search for your child support payment record in the Richland County Family Court Payment Inquiry system by case number and last four digits of Social Security number.
Richland County Family Court Information
View information about Richland County Family Court, including contacts, child support payments, forms availability, and domestic abuse.
Richland County Guardianships and Conservatorships
View answers to frequently asked questions about guardianships and conservatorships in Richland County Probate Court, including who needs a guardian or conservator, how to begin a proceeding, use of attorneys, and termination.
Richland County Mental Health Court
View information about Richland County Mental Health Court, which can set up treatment in lieu of incarceration for some misdemeanor or non-violent felony offenders with mental health problems. Links to referral forms are included.
Richland County Probate Court Commitments
View information about involuntary mental commitments in Richland County Probate Court, with links to additional resources and services.
Richland County Probate Court Glossary
View a glossary of legal terms useful in Richland County Probate Court.
Spartanburg County - Courts Self Help Resources
Lyman Municipal Court Information
View answers to frequently asked questions about Lyman Municipal Court, including court dates, ticket payments, and jury trials.
Sumter County - Courts Self Help Resources
Sumter County Teen Court
View information the Sumter County Teen Court program, an alternative court for young offenders.
York County - Courts Self Help Resources
Rock Hill Municipal Court Diversion Programs
View information about Rock Hill Municipal Court diversion programs, including Pre-Trial Intervention, Alcohol Education, and Traffic Education.
Rock Hill Municipal Court Insurance Violations
View information about No Proof of Insurance violations in Rock Hill Municipal Court, with instructions for submitting proof and a link to a sample form letter.
Rock Hill Municipal Court Jury Trial Information
View information about jury trials in Rock Hill Municipal Court, including instructions and links to jury trial request forms.
York County Diversion, Drug Court, and Expungements
View information about the York County Traffic Education Program, Alcohol Education Program and Pre-Trial Intervention Program, which are diversion programs for first time offenders; Drug Court which can set up treatment in lieu of incarceration for some offenders, and expungement of criminal records. Links are in the right column.
York County Juvenile Programs
View information about juvenile programs in York County, including the Juvenile Arbitration diversion program for non-violent first offenders, Juvenile Drug Court which can result in dismissal of charges for juveniles who complete the treatment program, and Truancy Court. Information about services for victims of juvenile offenders is also provided.
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