Charleston County Court

County Resources

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Charleston County Court Information

There are multiple courthouse locations throughout Charleston County. The first Charleston County Courthouse was originally the Capitol of South Carolina. When Columbia was made the state capital in 1786, the building became the county courthouse.

That building burned in 1788 and a new courthouse was constructed on the ruins and was completed in 1792. Additions and renovations occurred through the late-19th and 20th centuries. The current restoration occurred after Hurricane Hugo in 1989.

Locations

Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions
100 Broad Street, Suite 106
Charleston, SC 29401-2258
(843) 958-5000

Family Court
100 Broad Street, Suite 143
Charleston, SC 29401-2265
(843) 958-4400

Centralized Bond Hearing Court
Centralized Preliminary Hearing Court
3831 Leeds Avenue, Suite 200
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 746-9822
(843) 745-2390

City of Charleston Magistrate Court
101 Meeting Street, 3rd Floor
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-6719

East Cooper Magistrate Court
1189 Sweetgrass Basket Pkwy, Suite 300
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 856-1205

James Island Magistrate Court
615 Riverland Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-1140

McClellanville Magistrate Court
10009 Highway 17 North
McClellanville, SC 29458
(843) 887-3334

North Area Magistrate Court 1
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Service Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
1st Floor, Ste B125
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 202-6610

North Area Magistrate Court 2
2145 Melbourne Ave., Suite 100
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-2215

North Area Magistrate Court 3
6185 Rivers Avenue, Suite E
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 553-4003

Ravenel/Adams Run Area Magistrate Court
5962 Highway 165, Suite 200
Ravenel, SC 29470
(843) 889-8332

Small Claims Court
City of Charleston
101 Meeting Street, 3rd Floor
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-6720

Wadmalaw/Johns Island Magistrate Court
1527 Main Road
Suite 100
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-1218

West Ashley Area Magistrate Court
1720 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, Unit 11
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 766-6531

Charleston Municipal Court
180 B Lockwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29403
843-724-7460

North Charleston Municipal Court
2500 City Hall Ln
North Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 740-2602

Folly Beach Municipal Court
21 Center St
Folly Beach, SC 29439
(843) 588-7014

Isle of Palms Municipal Court
1207 Palm Blvd
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
(843) 886-8946

Kiawah Island Municipal Court
4475 Betsy Kerrison Pkwy
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
843-768-9166

Mount Pleasant Municipal Court
100 Ann Edwards Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 884-6796

Seabrook Island Municipal Court
2001 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Island, SC 29455
(843) 768-9121

Sullivan’s Island Municipal Court
2056 Middle Street
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-3198

United States District Court
District of South Carolina
J. Waties Waring Judicial Center
83 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
843-579-1401

United States District Court
District of South Carolina
U. S. District Courthouse
85 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
843-579-1401

County Clerk of Court

The County Clerk of Courts is an elected position in South Carolina, with a term being 4 years. Duties of the Clerk include jury management, managing the dockets, collecting and disbursing child support payments, fines, and fees, and filing for orders of protection.

The Clerk is the official records custodian for all civil, criminal, and family court proceedings. They also manage the grand jury process and provide support to the offices of the solicitor and judges of Charleston County.

Julie J. Armstrong
Charleston County Clerk of Court
100 Broad St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 958-5000

United States District Court

Charleston County is part of the District of South Carolina for the United States District Court. Counties served by this division include Dorchester, Colleton, Charleston, Berkley, Georgetown, and Clarendon.

Timothy M. Cain is the Chief United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina. Robin L. Blume is the Clerk of Court.

Circuit Court

Charleston County falls under the 9th Judicial Circuit in South Carolina. This includes the Court of General Sessions, Court of Common Pleas, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Juvenile Court, Masters-in-Equity, and Probate Court.

Circuit court judges are elected by the General Assembly to staggered terms of six years.

Municipal Court

Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction, mostly hearing cases that involve violation of ordinances and offenses that have a maximum fine of $500 or jail for up to 30 days. Municipal Courts can also hear cases transferred from the Court of General Sessions if the punishment does not exceed a $5,000 fine and/or 1 year in jail.

Municipal Courts have no jurisdiction over civil cases. Municipal court judges’ terms are set by the municipality council, but cannot be longer than 4 years.

Civil Court – Court of Common Pleas

In South Carolina, Civil Court is known as the Court of Common Pleas. Cases in this court are non-criminal. When the value or amount of money in dispute is less than $7500, Small Claims Court is used to handle the matter. For amounts larger than $7500, the Court of Common Pleas hears the case.

Criminal Court – Court of General Sessions

The Criminal Court is referred to as the Court of General Sessions in South Carolina. This court is used for adult misdemeanor criminal cases that carry a punishment of more than 30 days in jail or a $500 fine. It’s also used for adult felony criminal cases. The General Sessions Court can issue a maximum sentence of the death penalty.

Family Court

Family Court has jurisdiction over all cases involving separations and divorces, custody and visitation rights, adoption and terminating parental rights, name changes, child support, alimony, and division of marital assets.

Family Court also has jurisdiction over cases involving minors under age 17 who are charged with violating state law or municipal ordinances.

Probate Court

Probate Court hears cases involving the will and/or the estate of a deceased person. It also has jurisdiction over trusts, estates of minors or incapacitated persons, and involuntary commitments for mental health and/or drug treatment. The Probate Court is also in charge of issuing marriage licenses

Juvenile Court

Juvenile Court falls under Family Court and handles the criminal prosecution of juveniles under age 18. In certain cases, minors may be considered adults and moved to the Court of General Sessions.

Veterans Court

Veterans Court offers a 15-month program that offers counseling, substance abuse treatment, and other resources to veterans who have mental health issues, TBIs, or substance abuse issues.

Participants agree to plead guilty to the current charge and access their sentence. However, those charges may be dismissed upon completion of the program.

Drug Court

Drug Court is a program that offers treatment to certain offenders who are dealing with substance addiction or abuse. The 15-month program includes mandatory drug testing, attendance at therapy and recovery meetings, and proof of employment. Charges may be dismissed if the program is completed successfully.

Masters-in-Equity

Masters-in-Equity are special judges appointed by the governor and approved by the legislature. They serve 6-year terms and handle matters referred to them by the Circuit Court. They are legally allowed to rule on motions, rule on the admissibility of evidence, call witnesses, and examine witnesses under oath.

Magistrates

Magistrates in South Carolina are appointed by the governor. To be a magistrate, a person must be a US citizen, at least 21 years old, and a state resident for 5 years. A magistrate must have a four-year degree and must pass a certification exam. Some magistrates are attorneys, but this is not a requirement for the position.