Cherokee County Magistrate Court cases in Cherokee County, Gaffney, SC
Cherokee County Magistrates Court in Gaffney is a county-level magistrate (summary) court within South Carolina's unified judicial system. It exercises limited jurisdiction over lower-level criminal matters (generally misdemeanors with penalties not exceeding 30 days' incarceration or a fine), traffic offenses, and county ordinance violations, and it hears civil small-claims cases, including landlord-tenant/evictions and claim-and-delivery. Magistrates also issue arrest and search warrants, set bonds, and conduct preliminary hearings in criminal cases that will proceed to the Court of General Sessions. Larger civil disputes and domestic relations matters (such as divorce, custody, and child support) are not within this court's jurisdiction and are handled by the Court of Common Pleas/General Sessions or the Family Court.
Cherokee County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Magistrate Court |
| County: | Cherokee |
| Street Address: | 312 E. Frederick St. |
| City: | Gaffney |
| Zip Code: | 29340 |
| Phone: | 864-487-2533 |
| Fax: | 864-902-8425 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://cherokeecountysc.gov/government-services/magistrates-office |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Cherokee/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Jury Service: | https://cherokeecountysc.gov/clerk-of-courts-office/juror-summons-form/ |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-mcbee-82b64930/ |
| About / Additional Info: | The Cherokee County Magistrate’s Office handles civil, criminal and traffic matters. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Cherokee County Magistrate Court
Cherokee County Magistrate Court serves the public by handling:
- Civil cases: small claims up to $7,500 (contracts, property damage), landlord-tenant matters (evictions/ejectments), and claim-and-delivery (recovery of property).
- Criminal/traffic matters: misdemeanors, traffic citations, and county/municipal ordinance violations; accepts fine payments.
- Warrants and preliminary process: issues arrest and search warrants; conducts bond hearings and preliminary hearings.
- Protective orders: processes restraining orders for harassment/stalking (non-domestic violence).
- Case filings and records: accepts civil filings, eviction actions, and restraining order petitions; provides case information and scheduling.
- Jury services: manages juror summons, qualification, deferrals, and conducts jury trials in eligible civil and criminal cases.
- Court hearings: schedules and holds bench and jury trials, motion hearings, and mediation where available.
The court's role is to provide accessible, efficient resolution of minor civil disputes and lower-level criminal matters, ensuring due process and public safety.