Calhoun County, SC Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Calhoun County Clerk of Court keeps records for the county's Circuit and Family Courts in the First Judicial Circuit, which also covers Dorchester and Orangeburg counties.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Calhoun County Clerk of Court (Circuit and Family Court records), First Judicial Circuit |
| Main Address | PO Box 709, St Matthews, SC 29135 (mailing address) |
| Main Phone | (803) 874-3524 |
| Clerk of Court | Robert Brockington, popularly elected Clerk of Court |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (St Matthews) |
| Handles | Circuit Court and Family Court records |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (the U.S. District Court for South Carolina) and probate matters, which the Probate Court handles |
| Online Case Search | publicindex.sccourts.org (Judicial Branch Public Index) |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | sc.gov/court-payments and Traffic Ticket Search |
How to Search Calhoun County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Calhoun County court records are kept by the Clerk of Court.
Online
Go to publicindex.sccourts.org to search Judicial Branch case records.
Search by party name or case number, then open the case details.
Confirm which records are available online with the Clerk of Court.
Best for: Quick case status lookups
In Person
Go to the Calhoun County Clerk of Court Office, PO Box 709, St Matthews.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Call (803) 874-3524 to confirm what the clerk needs.
Best for: Records not available online
By Phone
Call the Clerk of Court at (803) 874-3524.
Ask which division holds your case and what records are available.
Ask the clerk about any fees before you request copies.
Best for: Confirming details before you visit
Search by Name on SCCourtAccess.org
Go to SCCourtAccess.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Calhoun County Court Statistics (FY 2026)
Calhoun County courts handled an estimated 978 new cases in FY 2026 across the case types covered here, and disposed of 708 criminal and probate cases. Criminal cases (General Sessions) and probate estate cases come from county reports; civil and family filings are estimated.
~978
Total filings in FY 2026
~965
Total dispositions in FY 2026
~978
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~-12.4%
Change in total filings vs FY 2025
| Metric | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~978 | ~1,117 | ~-12.4% |
| Total Dispositions | ~965 | ~1,102 | ~-12.4% |
| Criminal Filings | 324 | 468 | -30.8% |
| Civil Filings | ~341 | ~319 | ~+6.9% |
| Family Law Filings | ~151 | ~155 | ~-2.6% |
| Probate Filings | ~162 | ~175 | ~-7.4% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~1 | ~1 | ~-13.6% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~19 | ~22 | ~-13.6% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Calhoun County?
Estimated total filings in Calhoun County moved down over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | ~978 | ~965 | ~-12.4% |
| FY 2025 | ~1,117 | ~1,102 | ~+6.4% |
| FY 2024 | ~1,050 | ~1,036 | ~-8.1% |
| FY 2023 | ~1,143 | ~1,128 | ~+2.9% |
| FY 2022 | ~1,111 | ~1,096 | ~-10.8% |
Estimated filings changed -12.0% between FY 2022 and FY 2026, from 1,111 to 978. The largest annual change was -12.4% in FY 2026. The latest change of -12.4% was driven mainly by criminal filings.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Calhoun County?
Civil cases are estimated to be the largest category in Calhoun County, at about 34.9% of filings in FY 2026.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2026 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil | ~341 | ~34.9% | ~+6.9% |
| Criminal | 324 | ~33.1% | -30.8% |
| Probate | ~162 | ~16.6% | ~-7.4% |
| Family law | ~151 | ~15.4% | ~-2.6% |
| Juvenile | ~19 | ~2.0% | ~-13.6% |
| Mental health | ~1 | ~0.1% | ~-13.6% |
Civil cases grew fastest and criminal cases fell fastest.
How Does Calhoun County Compare With South Carolina Overall?
Calhoun County is estimated to account for about 0.29% of the 334,712 cases filed in South Carolina courts in FY 2026.
| Metric | Calhoun County | South Carolina | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~978 | 334,712 | ~0.29% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~-12.4% | +3.8% | Below state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~978 | ~7,276 | Below state (estimate) |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~965 | ~7,180 | Below state (estimate) |
| Criminal share of filings | ~33.1% | 39.2% | Below state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~34.9% | 30.0% | Above state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~15.4% | 17.1% | Below state (estimate) |
Compared with the state, Calhoun County has a higher share of civil filings and a lower share of criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates.
Calhoun County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are South Carolina statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Calhoun County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 15.0% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 96.4% of South Carolina's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
20,950
Violent crimes, South Carolina statewide, 2025
92,086
Property crimes, South Carolina statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
376.1
Violent crime rate per 100K, South Carolina statewide, 2025 (population 5,570,274)
-15.0%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, South Carolina statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (113,036 vs 133,034)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 352 | 6.3 | 428 | -17.8% |
| Rape | 1,877 | 33.7 | 2,137 | -12.2% |
| Robbery | 1,527 | 27.4 | 1,942 | -21.4% |
| Aggravated assault | 17,194 | 308.7 | 19,581 | -12.2% |
| Violent crimes total | 20,950 | 376.1 | 24,088 | -13.0% |
| Burglary | 13,035 | 234.0 | 15,541 | -16.1% |
| Larceny-theft | 69,668 | 1250.7 | 80,928 | -13.9% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 8,880 | 159.4 | 11,872 | -25.2% |
| Property crimes total | 92,086 | 1653.2 | 108,946 | -15.5% |
Rates use the South Carolina 2025 population of 5,570,274. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Calhoun County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Calhoun County Courthouse Locations
Calhoun County has 1 listed Clerk of Court office, in St Matthews. Check your notice or ticket for the court and division before you go, and call ahead to confirm.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County Clerk of Court Office | PO Box 709, St Matthews, SC 29135 | (803) 874-3524 | Clerk of Court office for court records |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Calhoun County?
In Calhoun County, South Carolina, cases are heard in magistrate, municipal, circuit, family, or probate courts, depending on the case.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Magistrate Court or the municipal court that issued the ticket | Tickets within city limits often go to municipal court; others go to magistrate court. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Follow the payment and appeal instructions on the ticket. |
| Misdemeanor | Magistrate Court or municipal court in Calhoun County | Lower-level misdemeanors are heard in summary courts. |
| Felony | Circuit Court (General Sessions) for Calhoun County | Felonies are heard in General Sessions after a bond hearing in a summary court. |
| DUI | Magistrate or municipal court, or Circuit Court (General Sessions) | Lower-level DUI may be handled in summary court; more serious charges go to circuit court. |
| Domestic violence | Magistrate or municipal court, or Family Court | Criminal charges start in summary court; protection orders are filed in Family Court. |
| Civil lawsuit | Magistrate Court or Circuit Court (Common Pleas) | The amount in dispute decides which court applies. |
| Small claims | Magistrate Court in Calhoun County | Magistrate court handles small civil claims. |
| Eviction | Magistrate Court in Calhoun County | Landlord-tenant cases are filed in magistrate court. |
| Divorce | Family Court for Calhoun County | Family Court handles divorce and legal separation. |
| Child custody or support | Family Court for Calhoun County | Family Court decides custody, visitation, and support. |
| Probate or estate | Probate Court for Calhoun County | Probate Court handles wills, estates, and guardianships. |
| Juvenile case | Family Court for Calhoun County | Juvenile matters are heard in Family Court. |
| Appeal | South Carolina Court of Appeals or Supreme Court | Appeals go to the appellate courts; federal matters go to the U.S. District Court. |
South Carolina has trial courts that include Circuit, Family, Probate, Magistrate, Municipal, and Master-in-Equity Courts, with appeals heard by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
- Calhoun County Clerk of Court keeps the records for the Circuit and Family Courts.
- Federal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for South Carolina.
- Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them, not by the court.
- For questions about which court holds your case, call the Clerk of Court at (803) 874-3524.
Are Calhoun County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Calhoun County court records are public, with exceptions set by South Carolina Judicial Branch court-records policy, summarized at sccourts.org.
Public records
Most case records are open to the public under the court-records policy. Ask the Clerk of Court which specific records are available.
Restricted or confidential records
Records restricted by law, court rule, or court order are not available to the public. Ask the Clerk of Court which records are restricted before you request them.
Online access
The Judicial Branch Public Index lets you search court case records online. Not every record or document is available online, so confirm with the Clerk of Court.
In-person access
Visit the Calhoun County Clerk of Court Office at PO Box 709, St Matthews, SC 29135, or call (803) 874-3524, to view or request records.
Fees
This page does not list fees for court records. Ask the Clerk of Court at (803) 874-3524 about any fees before you request copies.
How to Search Calhoun County Court Records Online
South Carolina offers an online public index that may show circuit, magistrate, and some municipal court cases from Calhoun County.
- Identify whether your case is criminal, traffic, civil, family, probate, or juvenile.
- Open the official South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index.
- Search by county, court type, party name, or case number.
- Review the case details, parties, hearing dates, and dispositions.
- Contact the clerk or court in Calhoun County to request documents not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Circuit and many magistrate case records, charges, and dispositions. | Municipal coverage is partial; document copies come from the clerk. |
| Traffic | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Traffic cases in magistrate and some municipal courts. | Not every municipal court is included; contact the issuing court. |
| Civil | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Common Pleas and magistrate civil case information. | Filed documents are generally not provided online. |
| Small claims | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Magistrate court civil case information. | Detail varies by court; confirm with the magistrate court. |
| Family law | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Family Court case information may be listed. | Some family records are confidential; contact the clerk. |
| Probate | Probate records are held by each county Probate Court; check the court in Calhoun County. | Probate case information if offered by the county. | Probate is not part of the general public index; contact the probate court. |
| Juvenile | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Little or no juvenile information is public. | Juvenile records are confidential and generally not shown online; contact the clerk. |
Use the Judicial Branch Public Index to search Calhoun County court cases online, and ask the Clerk of Court for records that are not available online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, civil, family, probate, or traffic.
- Open the Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org, or the case-records search page.
- Search by party name or case number, and note the case number in the results.
- Review the case details, such as parties and status.
- Call the Calhoun County Clerk of Court at (803) 874-3524 to request records that are not online.
The Public Index does not list every record or document, so confirm which case types it covers with the Clerk of Court.
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Calhoun County
Court fines and traffic citations in Calhoun County can be paid online through the Judicial Branch payment page, or by contacting the Clerk of Court.
- Online: Pay at the Judicial Branch Online Payments page.
- Traffic ticket lookup: Look up your ticket on the Traffic Ticket Search page before you pay.
- Phone or in person: Call the Clerk of Court at (803) 874-3524 to ask which payment methods the office accepts.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them, not by the court.
Calhoun County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Calhoun County court records?
Use the Public Index to search by party name or case number, or call the Clerk of Court at (803) 874-3524.
Are Calhoun County court records public?
Most are, under Judicial Branch court-records policy summarized at sccourts.org, but records restricted by law or court order are not available.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name in the Public Index, or call the Clerk of Court at (803) 874-3524 with the defendant's name.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket or notice first, then call the Clerk of Court at (803) 874-3524 to confirm.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay at the Judicial Branch Online Payments page, and look up your ticket on the Traffic Ticket Search page.
How many cases are filed in Calhoun County each year?
County filing counts are not published here, so this page does not give an annual case total. The county population was 14,188 in 2025.
What is the most common type of case?
Case-type counts for the county are not published here, so no most-common case type is shown.
Is crime in the county rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 13.0% to 20,950 in 2025 from 24,088 in 2024, and property crimes fell 15.5% to 92,086 from 108,946, as reported to the FBI. These are South Carolina statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Calhoun County Magistrate CourtMore Info
| Address: | 102 Courthouse Dr., Saint Matthews, SC, 29135 |
| Phone Number: | 803-874-1112 |
| Fax: | 803-874-1111 |
| Website: | https://calhouncounty.sc.gov/departments/magistrates |
Useful Links
- Calhoun County, SC | Official Government Website - Providing information on local government services, including legal and court-related services for residents and visitors.
- Calhoun County Clerk of Court | Court Records and Services - Access court records, legal documents, and learn more about court proceedings in Calhoun County, South Carolina.
- South Carolina Judicial Department | Public Index Search - Search South Carolina's statewide database for court case information, including records from Calhoun County courts.
- South Carolina Courts Registry of Court Specific Information - Find information on court locations, contacts, and services across South Carolina, including Calhoun County.
- Summary Court Judges Benchbook | South Carolina Judicial Department - Offers legal resources and guidelines for summary court judges in South Carolina counties, including Calhoun.
- Self-Help Resources | South Carolina Judicial Branch - Provides self-help legal resources for those representing themselves in court in South Carolina, including Calhoun County.
- Florence County Court Services - Southern Region - Informational source for court services within the southern region of SC, including nearby counties like Calhoun.
- Public Services | South Carolina Bar - Offers legal assistance, public services, and educational resources related to legal and court matters in South Carolina.
- Recording and Risk Management | Calhoun County - Provides access to recorded public documents and risk management services in Calhoun County, South Carolina.
- Judicial Merit Selection Commission | South Carolina Statehouse - Offers information on judicial appointments and related resources for South Carolina, including Calhoun County judges.
- Calhoun County, SC | National Association of Counties (NACo) - County profile with contacts and resources for government services, including judicial services in Calhoun County.
- Forms | South Carolina Judicial Branch - Access legal forms required for court proceedings in South Carolina, including Calhoun County courts.
- News & Information | South Carolina Judicial Branch - Stay updated with the latest news, announcements, and information from the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
- Calhoun County, South Carolina Law | FindLaw - Offers legal information, court resources, and guides for residents and legal professionals in Calhoun County.
- Criminal Records | South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Request and access criminal records in South Carolina, including Calhoun County, provided by SLED.
- Contact Information | South Carolina Judicial Branch - Comprehensive contact directory for courts and judicial offices in South Carolina, including in Calhoun County.
- District of South Carolina | United States Department of Justice - Federal legal resources, court information, and contact details for the District of South Carolina, including Calhoun County.
- Publications | South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) - Legal publications and resources related to educational law and policies within South Carolina, affecting Calhoun County schools.
- Court Rules | South Carolina Judicial Branch - Access the official rules governing court practices and procedures at all judicial levels in South Carolina, including Calhoun County.
Table of Contents
- Calhoun County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Calhoun County Court Records
- Calhoun County Court Statistics (FY 2026)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Calhoun County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Calhoun County?
- How Does Calhoun County Compare With South Carolina Overall?
- Calhoun County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Calhoun County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Calhoun County?
- Are Calhoun County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Calhoun County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Calhoun County
- Calhoun County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links