Bluffton Felony Records

Bluffton felony records are filed with the Beaufort County Clerk of Court through the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit General Sessions Court. Bluffton is one of South Carolina's fastest-growing towns, located in Beaufort County near the Georgia border and Hilton Head Island. All felony cases for Bluffton residents are processed through General Sessions Court at 102 Ribaut Road in Beaufort. The Bluffton Municipal Court at 20 Bridge Street handles town misdemeanor and traffic matters. Free online case access is available through the Beaufort County Public Index.

Bluffton Municipal Court

The Bluffton Municipal Court is located at 20 Bridge Street, Bluffton SC 29910, with mailing address PO Box 386, Bluffton SC 29910. Phone is (843) 706-4530, fax (843) 706-4503. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Chief Municipal Court Judge Clifford Bush III and Associate Municipal Judge James Andrew Smith preside. Clerk of Court is Lisa Cunningham. Court sessions are held every Tuesday. The court handles misdemeanor violations of criminal, traffic, ordinance, and parking laws occurring within Bluffton town limits with maximum penalties of $500 fine or 30 days imprisonment.

Defendants are encouraged to contact the court before their court date regarding possible reductions in fines, diversionary programs, or providing proof of registration, insurance, or driver license. Eligible defendants facing potential incarceration may apply for indigent defense services at the Municipal Court. Jury trial requests must be submitted in writing before the scheduled court date by the defendant or their attorney. For certified copies of disposition, submit a letter with your name, date of birth, ticket number, violation, contact number, and current mailing address.

The Town of Bluffton website at townofbluffton.sc.gov provides a gateway to Municipal Court resources, police contact information at 101 Progressive Street, and town services that help Bluffton residents navigate city-level misdemeanor matters while also connecting them to Beaufort County resources for felony charges handled through the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit General Sessions Court.

Appeals from Bluffton Municipal Court go to the Beaufort County Clerk of Court. To file a notice of appeal, complete the Notice of Appeal form and file it at 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort SC 29902. Provide a copy of the clocked notice to the Bluffton Municipal Court. The Beaufort County Magistrate Court in Bluffton is at 4819 Bluffton Parkway, 2nd Floor, Mailing PO Box 840, phone (843) 255-5610. This court handles traffic and criminal matters at the summary court level and preliminary hearings for felony matters before they proceed to General Sessions Court.

Beaufort County Clerk of Court and Bluffton Felony Records

All Bluffton felony cases are filed with the Beaufort County Clerk of Court at 102 Ribaut Road, Suite 208, Beaufort SC 29902. Phone is (843) 255-5050. The Public Defender information line is (843) 255-5057. The Clerk maintains all General Sessions criminal case records for Beaufort County including those originating in Bluffton. The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office prosecutes all felony cases for Beaufort and Allendale counties.

For public defender services in Bluffton Magistrate Court cases, contact Michael Salas at (843) 441-4132. Application fee is $40.00 cash only. Apply at the Beaufort County Clerk of Court office. When a felony arrest occurs in Bluffton, the case proceeds through the Bluffton Magistrate Court for preliminary matters, then to the Beaufort County Grand Jury for indictment, and finally to trial or plea at the Beaufort County Courthouse on Ribaut Road.

How to Search Bluffton Felony Records

The Beaufort County Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org/beaufort provides free online access to General Sessions Court records. Felony records from 1990 forward are searchable by party name or case number. The system shows case status, charges, hearing dates, and disposition for Bluffton felony cases. Accept the disclaimer before beginning your search.

In-person access to Bluffton felony records is available at the Beaufort County Clerk of Court at 102 Ribaut Road in Beaufort. For statewide criminal history, use SLED CATCH at catch.sled.sc.gov. The fee is $25 plus $1 online and covers all 46 South Carolina counties.

Bluffton felony records are public under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10. The Clerk must respond to FOIA requests within 10 business days. Certified copies of Municipal Court dispositions may be requested under Freedom of Information Act §30-4-30. Records of dismissed charges are removed per § 17-1-40. Eligible first-offense convictions may be expunged after five years under § 22-5-910. Note: As of January 1, 2026, home address information is no longer displayed on the public index for all South Carolina counties.

Bluffton Felony Classes and General Sessions Court

The Beaufort County General Sessions Court handles all felony charges for Bluffton under South Carolina's six-class system defined in Title 16 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Class A felonies carry up to 30 years and include murder, kidnapping, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, and armed robbery. Class B felonies carry up to 25 years. Class C felonies carry up to 20 years. Class D felonies carry up to 15 years. Class E felonies carry up to 10 years. Class F felonies carry up to 5 years. Every Bluffton felony record shows the charge, statute citation, felony class, and sentence imposed.

For current inmate information for individuals serving state sentences, use the SCDC inmate search at doc.sc.gov. The sex offender registry for Beaufort County is searchable at scor.sled.sc.gov. The Beaufort County Sheriff maintains sex offender registration under S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-430.

Beaufort County Felony Records

All felony cases originating in Bluffton are processed through Beaufort County General Sessions Court. Access the county-level resource for complete felony case information.

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