Cherokee County
Cherokee County was founded in 1897 and named for the Cherokee people. It spans 393.0 square miles of land and is the 44th largest county in South Carolina by total area, with over 56,216 residents as of the 2020 U.S. census. Gaffney serves as the county seat.
The judicial system in Cherokee County comprises a Circuit Court, a Family Court, a Probate Court, two Magistrate Courts, and two Municipal Courts. The Cherokee County Circuit Court is a trial court with general jurisdiction over most criminal and civil cases, including felonies, some misdemeanor cases, and personal property disputes. Cases related to domestic relations and juvenile matters, including child custody, child neglect, and abuse, are handled by the Family Court in the county. The Probate Court has authority over probate matters, such as wills, estates, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. Cherokee County Magistrate Courts handle cases involving domestic violence, preliminary hearings for criminal cases, larceny, and breach of the peace. Municipal Courts have jurisdiction over municipal code violations and traffic violations within the municipalities.
Court records in Cherokee County are official documents generated by the county courts during court proceedings. These records include transcripts, filings, motions, maps, tapes, and pleadings. According to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Cherokee County court records are considered open records, and residents have the right to inspect, view, and copy them. However, certain court records, including mental health records, scholastic records, sealed records, and juvenile records, are restricted from public access. Cherokee County court records that may be accessed by the public include the following:
- Civil Records
- Probate Records
- Traffic Records
- Criminal Records
In Cherokee County, the Clerk of Court's Office is responsible for maintaining the county records, including court records. Requesters may search for court records by visiting the courthouses. It is important to note that specific fees may apply for copies or certified copies of court records.