Oconee 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 Oconee County Clerk of Court serves the Circuit and Family Courts for Oconee County, which are part of the Tenth Judicial Circuit with Anderson County. The clerk keeps the court records for these trial courts and handles payments and record requests at the Walhalla office.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Oconee County Circuit and Family Courts, records kept by the Oconee County Clerk of Court (Tenth Judicial Circuit) |
| Main Address | PO Box 678, Walhalla, SC 29691 (mailing address) |
| Main Phone | (864) 638-4280 |
| Clerk of Court | Melissa C. Burton |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Walhalla) |
| Handles | Circuit Court and Family Court cases, with the clerk keeping the court records |
| Does NOT Handle | Probate, Magistrate, Municipal and Master-in-Equity matters, which are separate courts |
| Online Case Search | Public Index (publicindex.sccourts.org) |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | Judicial Branch Online Payments |
How to Search Oconee County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and the approximate dates ready before you search Oconee County court records.
Online
Go to Public Index to search South Carolina case records.
Search by party name or case number, then open the case details.
Check the case status and scheduled dates before you visit.
Best for: Quick lookups of case status and parties
In Person
Go to the Oconee County Clerk of Court at PO Box 678, Walhalla, SC 29691.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which division handles your case type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call (864) 638-4280 to reach the Oconee County Clerk of Court.
Ask which division holds your case and what the clerk needs.
Confirm the request before you visit the courthouse.
Best for: Confirming a case division or record request
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
Oconee County Court Statistics (FY 2026)
Oconee County courts handled an estimated 4,874 new cases in FY 2026 across the case types covered here, and disposed of 3,922 criminal and probate cases. Criminal cases (General Sessions) and probate estate cases come from county reports; civil and family filings are estimated.
~4,874
Total filings in FY 2026
~4,810
Total dispositions in FY 2026
~4,874
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~-3.1%
Change in total filings vs FY 2025
| Metric | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~4,874 | ~5,029 | ~-3.1% |
| Total Dispositions | ~4,810 | ~4,962 | ~-3.1% |
| Criminal Filings | 2,297 | 2,636 | -12.9% |
| Civil Filings | ~787 | ~734 | ~+7.2% |
| Family Law Filings | ~846 | ~869 | ~-2.6% |
| Probate Filings | ~944 | ~790 | ~+19.5% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~1 | ~1 | ~-4.4% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~96 | ~101 | ~-4.4% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Oconee County?
Estimated total filings in Oconee 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 | ~4,874 | ~4,810 | ~-3.1% |
| FY 2025 | ~5,029 | ~4,963 | ~-8.0% |
| FY 2024 | ~5,469 | ~5,397 | ~-0.3% |
| FY 2023 | ~5,488 | ~5,416 | ~+10.2% |
| FY 2022 | ~4,981 | ~4,915 | ~-16.5% |
Estimated filings changed -2.1% between FY 2022 and FY 2026, from 4,981 to 4,874. The largest annual change was +10.2% in FY 2023. The latest change of -3.1% was driven mainly by criminal filings.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Oconee County?
Criminal cases are the largest category in Oconee County, at about 47.1% of filings in FY 2026.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2026 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 2,297 | ~47.1% | -12.9% |
| Probate | ~944 | ~19.4% | ~+19.5% |
| Family law | ~846 | ~17.4% | ~-2.6% |
| Civil | ~787 | ~16.1% | ~+7.2% |
| Juvenile | ~96 | ~2.0% | ~-4.4% |
| Mental health | ~1 | ~0.0% | ~-4.4% |
Probate cases grew fastest and criminal cases fell fastest.
How Does Oconee County Compare With South Carolina Overall?
Oconee County is estimated to account for about 1.46% of the 334,712 cases filed in South Carolina courts in FY 2026.
| Metric | Oconee County | South Carolina | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~4,874 | 334,712 | ~1.46% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~-3.1% | +3.8% | Below state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~4,874 | ~7,276 | Below state (estimate) |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~4,810 | ~7,180 | Below state (estimate) |
| Criminal share of filings | ~47.1% | 39.2% | Above state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~16.1% | 30.0% | Below state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~17.4% | 17.1% | Same as state (estimate) |
Compared with the state, Oconee County has a higher share of criminal filings and a lower share of civil filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates.
Oconee County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are South Carolina statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Oconee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 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 Oconee County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Oconee County Courthouse Locations
Oconee County has 1 location for Clerk of Court records. Check your notice or ticket for the assigned courthouse before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oconee County Clerk of Court Office | PO Box 678, Walhalla, SC 29691 | (864) 638-4280 | Clerk of Court Office |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Oconee County?
In Oconee 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 Oconee County | Lower-level misdemeanors are heard in summary courts. |
| Felony | Circuit Court (General Sessions) for Oconee 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 Oconee County | Magistrate court handles small civil claims. |
| Eviction | Magistrate Court in Oconee County | Landlord-tenant cases are filed in magistrate court. |
| Divorce | Family Court for Oconee County | Family Court handles divorce and legal separation. |
| Child custody or support | Family Court for Oconee County | Family Court decides custody, visitation, and support. |
| Probate or estate | Probate Court for Oconee County | Probate Court handles wills, estates, and guardianships. |
| Juvenile case | Family Court for Oconee 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 trial courts include Circuit, Family, Probate, Magistrate, Municipal and Master-in-Equity courts. The Oconee County Clerk of Court keeps the records for Circuit and Family Court cases in Oconee County.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce, child custody or support | Family Court | The Oconee County Clerk of Court keeps Family Court records; call (864) 638-4280. |
| Probate or estate | Probate Court | Probate is a separate trial court from the Clerk of Court Circuit and Family Court records. |
| Appeal | Court of Appeals or Supreme Court | Appellate courts review decisions made by the trial courts. |
Are Oconee County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Oconee County court records are public, with exceptions set by the South Carolina Judicial Branch court-records policy. The policy is summarized on the Judicial Branch court access page.
Public records
Most case records in the Circuit and Family Courts are open to the public, and you can search them through Public Index.
Restricted or confidential records
Records restricted under the court-records policy or by court order are not open to the public. Restricted records cannot be obtained through an ordinary search.
Online access
Public Index shows case information for South Carolina courts. Online results do not include every document, so ask the Oconee County Clerk of Court for records that are not online.
In-person access
Go to the Oconee County Clerk of Court at PO Box 678, Walhalla, SC 29691 to view or request records. Call (864) 638-4280 to confirm which division holds your case.
How to Search Oconee County Court Records Online
South Carolina offers an online public index that may show circuit, magistrate, and some municipal court cases from Oconee 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 Oconee 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 Oconee 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 official South Carolina search tools to find Oconee County cases, then ask the Clerk of Court for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil or probate.
- Open Public Index for court case records.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case for status, parties and scheduled dates.
- Call the Oconee County Clerk of Court at (864) 638-4280 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Public Index | Case status and docket information | Full documents may require the clerk |
| Traffic | Traffic Ticket Search | Ticket lookup | Payment is handled separately from record search |
| Civil | Public Index | Case status and docket information | Documents may require the clerk |
| Probate | Probate Court (a separate court) | Probate case information from that court | Not part of the Clerk of Court search |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Oconee County
Traffic tickets and court fines for Oconee County can be paid through the statewide Judicial Branch payment page or by calling the Clerk of Court.
- Online: Pay court fines through Judicial Branch Online Payments.
- Traffic tickets: Look up your ticket at Traffic Ticket Search before you pay.
- Phone: Call the Oconee County Clerk of Court at (864) 638-4280 to ask about payment options for your case.
Parking tickets are not covered on this page, so contact the agency that issued the ticket.
Oconee County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Oconee County court records?
Search Public Index by party name or case number, or visit the Oconee County Clerk of Court at PO Box 678, Walhalla, SC 29691.
Are Oconee County court records public?
Most are, under the South Carolina Judicial Branch court-records policy, but records restricted by policy or court order are not open.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name in Public Index or call the Oconee County Clerk of Court at (864) 638-4280.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket or notice, look up the case in Public Index, or call the Oconee County Clerk of Court at (864) 638-4280.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Look up the ticket at Traffic Ticket Search and pay through Judicial Branch Online Payments.
How many cases are filed in Oconee County each year?
County filing counts are not published here, so this page cannot give an annual figure for Oconee County.
What is the most common type of case?
Case type counts for Oconee County are not published here, so no most-common category can be given.
Is crime in South Carolina 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
Oconee County Magistrate Court More Info
| Address: | 208 Booker Dr., Walhalla, SC, 29678 |
| Phone Number: | 864-638-4125 |
| Fax: | 864-638-4229 |
| Website: | https://oconeesc.com/departments/magistrate-courts |
Useful Links
- Oconee County Public Index - Access Oconee County court records for civil and criminal cases via the South Carolina Judicial Department's public index.
- South Carolina Judicial Department - Find comprehensive information on South Carolina's court system, including judges, court rules, and legal forms.
- Oconee County Bar Association - Locate legal resources, member attorney lists, and services offered by the Oconee County Bar Association.
- Oconee County Court Systems - Explore the services offered by the Oconee County courts, including court dates, rules, and administrative records.
- Oconee County Probate Court Records - Find vital probate records and information necessary for handling estate settlements and other probate court matters.
- South Carolina Bar - Access helpful guidance on legal representation, legal forms, and free legal advice through South Carolina Bar resources.
- South Carolina Legal Self-Help Portal - Use self-help resources and legal forms for those representing themselves in court matters in South Carolina.
- South Carolina State Government - Access a broad range of state government services, including links to various departments and legal information.
- South Carolina Court Opinions - Search and review opinions from the South Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals through their online repository.
- LawHelp South Carolina - Discover free and reliable legal information, assistance, and resources offered to the residents of South Carolina.
- Oconee County Family Court - Inquire about family court services in Oconee County, including custody, visitation, divorces, and child support matters.
- Oconee County Solicitor's Office - Find information about prosecutorial services, victim advocacy, and legal guidance provided by the Oconee County Solicitor's Office.
- Oconee County Magistrates Court - Access court procedures, traffic citations, and civil claim handling in Oconee County's Magistrate Court.
- South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Find skilled criminal defense lawyers and information on the rights of defendants in the South Carolina legal system.
- Justia South Carolina Legal Resources - Explore a comprehensive database of state laws, court rules, and local legal information provided by Justia.
- South Carolina Legislature Online - Search legislative bills, statutes, and information on the activities of the South Carolina General Assembly, including laws affecting courts.
- South Carolina Law Review - Access legal essays, case analyses, and academic articles discussing court cases and legal issues in South Carolina.
- Tenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office - Provides prosecution services for Oconee and Anderson Counties, along with victim services and legal guidance.
- South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants - Find resources and support for understanding financial aspects related to legal proceedings and court financial requirements.
- SC Legal Services - Offers legal aid to low-income residents in South Carolina, focusing on civil legal issues such as family and housing law.
Table of Contents
- Oconee County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Oconee County Court Records
- Oconee County Court Statistics (FY 2026)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Oconee County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Oconee County?
- How Does Oconee County Compare With South Carolina Overall?
- Oconee County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Oconee County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Oconee County?
- Are Oconee County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Oconee County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Oconee County
- Oconee County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links