Chester County Magistrate Court cases in Chester County, Chester, SC
Chester County Magistrates Court in Chester, South Carolina is a county magistrate (summary) court within the state's Unified Judicial System. It provides countywide, limited-jurisdiction adjudication of minor criminal offenses, traffic violations, and county/municipal ordinance violations; hears small civil claims (including money disputes and landlord-tenant/evictions) within the magistrate monetary limits; conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases; issues arrest and search warrants; sets bonds; and presides over jury and nonjury trials for matters within its authority. Criminal jurisdiction generally covers misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days' incarceration and/or fines as authorized by law. Family law matters (such as divorce, custody, and domestic orders of protection) are handled by the Family Court, not the Magistrates Court.
Chester County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Magistrate Court |
| County: | Chester |
| Street Address: | 2740 Dawson Dr. |
| City: | Chester |
| Zip Code: | 29706 |
| Phone: | 803-581-5136 |
| Fax: | 855-946-0440 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.chestercounty.org/court/clerk-of-court |
| Parking: | Parking available at the front, side and rear entrances. Please note that Main street parking is limited to 2-hours. |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Chester/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chester-County-Magistrates/157731767582604 |
| ADA: | Hyatte Kelsey, HR Director |
| ADA Phone: | 803-385-5003 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | 855-932-8300, hkelsey@chestercounty.org |
| Special Access: | An elevator is located at the rear entrance. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Chester County Magistrate Court
Chester County Magistrates Court serves the public as the county's entry-level trial court for lower-level cases. It handles traffic violations and misdemeanors (typically punishable by up to 30 days), issues arrest/search warrants, sets bonds, and conducts first appearances and preliminary hearings. Civil jurisdiction includes small claims (generally up to $7,500), contract and property disputes, landlord-tenant matters (evictions, rent, claim and delivery), and related motions. The court accepts case filings, schedules and holds bench and jury trials, and processes payments of fines, fees, and traffic tickets. It manages jury services-summons, qualification/deferrals, orientation, selection, and juror support. Protective remedies include restraining orders for harassment or stalking (domestic orders of protection are handled in Family Court). The court also maintains records, provides certified copies, and offers forms and procedural information to self-represented litigants (not legal advice).