Dorchester County Felony Records

Dorchester County felony records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at 5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard in St. George. All felony cases in Dorchester County go through the General Sessions Court, part of the First Judicial Circuit. The Clerk of Court handles all criminal case records including indictments, warrants, bonds, and sentence sheets. Dorchester County is one of South Carolina's fastest-growing counties, located in the greater Charleston metropolitan area. Felony records are available online through the South Carolina Public Index and in person at the courthouse.

Dorchester County Clerk of Court

The Dorchester County Clerk of Court at 5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard in St. George maintains all Circuit Court records for General Sessions criminal and Common Pleas civil matters. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Record searches carry a $25 fee, copies are $1 per page, and certified copies are $5 per document. Record requests can be submitted in person with a completed request form and photo ID, or by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Felony case files in Dorchester County are retained for 15 years after case closure. Capital cases are retained permanently. Misdemeanor cases are retained for 5 years after closure. Court docket books are maintained permanently. These retention schedules mean that Dorchester County felony records from the Public Index era and beyond are preserved and accessible through the Clerk of Court at (843) 563-0181.

Dorchester County felony records are maintained through the First Judicial Circuit, with the Clerk of Court at 5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard in St. George serving as the official repository for all General Sessions criminal case files in one of South Carolina's most rapidly growing counties.

The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office at 212 Deming Way in Summerville maintains arrest records, booking photos, and incident reports for the county. In-person requests for records are accepted during business hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Sheriff's Office, which can be reached at (843) 832-0300. Arrest records for those charged with felony offenses in Dorchester County become part of the public General Sessions case file once charges are formally filed with the Clerk of Court.

First Circuit and Dorchester County Felony Prosecution

Dorchester County is part of the First Judicial Circuit of South Carolina along with Calhoun and Orangeburg counties. The First Circuit Solicitor, David Pascoe, prosecutes all felony cases in General Sessions Court for all three counties in the circuit. The Solicitor's Office at scsolicitor1.org maintains offices in all three circuit counties and provides prosecution services and victim assistance for General Sessions Court felony cases in Dorchester County.

When a felony arrest is made in Dorchester County, the case proceeds through bond hearing, grand jury indictment, and trial or plea in General Sessions Court. Each step generates documents filed with the Clerk of Court at 5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard in St. George. The bond record, indictment, and sentence sheet all become part of the public Dorchester County felony case file. Dorchester County's significant population growth has led to an increased General Sessions Court caseload in recent years.

How to Search Dorchester County Felony Records

The Dorchester County Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org/dorchester provides free online access to Circuit Court and Summary 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 Dorchester County felony cases. Accept the disclaimer before beginning your search.

In-person access to Dorchester County felony records is available at the Clerk of Court at 5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard in St. George. Bring a completed request form and a valid photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number. For statewide criminal history including Dorchester County felony records, use SLED CATCH at catch.sled.sc.gov. The fee is $25 plus $1 online. SLED CATCH covers all 46 South Carolina counties and is updated monthly.

Dorchester County felony records are public under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10. The Clerk of Court must respond to FOIA requests within 10 business days. Records of dismissed charges are removed from public access per § 17-1-40. Eligible first-offense convictions may be expunged after five years under § 22-5-910.

Dorchester County General Sessions Court and Felony Classes

The Dorchester County General Sessions Court handles all felony charges 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 through F felonies carry sentences from 25 years down to 5 years depending on the offense class. Every Dorchester County felony record shows the charge, statute citation, felony class, and sentence imposed.

Dorchester County felony case files are retained for 15 years after closure, with capital cases kept permanently and court docket books maintained indefinitely. For current inmate information, the SCDC inmate search at doc.sc.gov covers those sentenced to more than 90 days. For those held pre-trial in Dorchester County, contact the Sheriff's Office at (843) 832-0300. The sex offender registry for Dorchester County is searchable at scor.sled.sc.gov. Note: As of January 1, 2026, home address information is no longer displayed on the public index for both new and existing cases in all South Carolina counties.

Cities in Dorchester County

Dorchester County includes Summerville, one of South Carolina's fastest-growing cities. All felony cases for Dorchester County residents are filed at the General Sessions Court in St. George.

Nearby Counties

Dorchester County is part of the First Judicial Circuit with Calhoun and Orangeburg counties. These nearby counties each maintain separate General Sessions Court felony records.

View All 46 Counties