Georgetown County Magistrate Court cases in Georgetown County, Georgetown, SC
Georgetown County Magistrate Court in Georgetown, SC is a South Carolina magistrate (summary) court of limited jurisdiction within the state's unified judicial system. It handles minor criminal offenses, traffic and county ordinance violations; conducts bond hearings; issues arrest and search warrants; and holds preliminary hearings in criminal cases. On the civil side, it hears small-claims and other civil actions up to $7,500, including landlord-tenant matters (such as evictions) and claim-and-delivery cases. The court provides jury and nonjury trials for cases within its jurisdiction. Family law matters are not heard in magistrate court and are handled by the Family Court.
Georgetown County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Magistrate Court |
| County: | Georgetown |
| Street Address: | 333 Cleland St. |
| City: | Georgetown |
| Zip Code: | 29440 |
| Phone: | 843-545-3381 |
| Fax: | 843-545-3394 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.georgetowncountysc.org/220/Magistrates---Traffic-Court |
| Parking: | Parking is available in the Judicial Center parking lot. |
| Restrictions: | The Judiciary requires appropriate attire in the courtroom; specifically no tank tops, shorts, hats or "flip-flop" sandals are allowed. Because of the need for quiet, you should not bring items such as computer games. Also, you may not bring activated cellular phones or pagers into the courtroom.The officers and bailiffs on duty are required to confiscate such contraband items as guns, knives, mace, or other implements, which could be used as weapons or are considered a danger to the court. If you own such items, you should leave them at home. |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Georgetown/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Jury Service: | http://www.georgetowncountysc.org/228/Jury-Duty |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | web-magistrate@gtcounty.org |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/Georgetown-County-Clerk-of-Courts-Office-374538902654154/ |
| ADA: | Walt Ackerman, Human Resources |
| ADA Phone: | 843-545-3074 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | 843-545-3252, humanresources@gtcounty.org |
| About / Additional Info: | There are six Magistrate Courts in Georgetown County including Central Traffic Court. In addition, the Magistrate conducts Bonding Court twice a day (9 am and 3 pm) at the Georgetown County Detention Center. Magistrates, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, serve four-year terms. South Carolina Court Administration provides administrative support to the Magistrate Courts. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Georgetown County Magistrate Court
Georgetown County Magistrates Court serves the public as the county's summary court by:
- Criminal/traffic: processing citations; hearing misdemeanor and traffic offenses within magistrate jurisdiction; conducting bench and jury trials; issuing arrest and search warrants; setting bonds; holding preliminary hearings.
- Civil/small claims: accepting and adjudicating money disputes up to $7,500; landlord-tenant actions (evictions/ejectments); claim and delivery (replevin); simple contract and property-damage claims.
- Protective orders: receiving petitions and issuing restraining orders for harassment or stalking.
- Case filings and hearings: filing complaints and affidavits; scheduling and holding hearings; issuing judgments and writs (e.g., writ of eviction).
- Jury services: summoning and qualifying jurors; providing reporting instructions; managing juror excuses and deferrals.
- Payments and compliance: collecting fines and fees assessed in criminal and traffic matters and enforcing court orders.