Beaufort County Magistrate Court cases in Beaufort County, Beaufort, SC
Beaufort County Magistrate Court in Beaufort, SC is a county-level magistrate (summary) court of limited jurisdiction. It serves as the first-tier trial court for minor offenses and preliminary matters, handling criminal misdemeanors and ordinance violations punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or fines up to $500 (per South Carolina law), traffic citations, and civil cases up to $7,500, including small claims, landlord-tenant/evictions, and claim-and-delivery actions. The court issues arrest and search warrants, sets bail, conducts bond hearings, and holds preliminary hearings in criminal cases that may be bound over to the Court of General Sessions. Family law matters are not heard in magistrate court and are handled by the separate Family Court.
Beaufort County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Magistrate Court |
| County: | Beaufort |
| Street Address: | 104 Ribaut Rd. |
| City: | Beaufort |
| Zip Code: | 29902 |
| Phone: | 843-255-5700 |
| Fax: | 843-255-9427 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/magistrate-court/ |
| Restrictions: | Cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted in the courtroom. No food or drinks are allowed in the courtroom. |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Beaufort/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Jury Service: | https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/magistrate-court/jury-duty.html |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | beaufortmagistratecriminal@bcgov.net |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beaufort-County-Magistrates-Court/271979469569517 |
| ADA: | Mr. Thomas J. Keaveny, II, County’s ADA Coordinator |
| ADA Phone: | 843-255-2055 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | tkeaveny@bcgov.net |
Services and Case Types Handled in Beaufort County Magistrate Court
Beaufort County Magistrate Court provides summary criminal, traffic, and small-claims civil justice for the public. Core services include:
- Case filings: civil complaints up to $7,500; landlord-tenant (evictions, rent); claim and delivery; applications for arrest warrants; petitions for restraining orders for harassment/stalking (non‑domestic).
- Protective orders: issues civil restraining orders under the Protection from Harassment and Stalking Act; domestic Orders of Protection are handled by Family Court.
- Court hearings: bond hearings, bench and jury trials for summary offenses and civil cases, eviction hearings, and preliminary hearings in criminal matters.
- Jury services: juror summonsing, qualification, deferrals, orientation, and juror compensation.
- Enforcement and records: issues arrest and search warrants, sets bail, collects fines/fees, maintains dockets, and provides public access to case information.