Jasper County
Jasper County is located at the southernmost tip of South Carolina. It was formed in 1912 from parts of Hampton County and Beaufort County. The county's seat, Ridgeland, was originally named Gopher Hill but was renamed in 1902 because its former name was deemed unsuitable for a railroad station. According to data recorded in 2020, Jasper County is home to at least 28,791 residents.
The Jasper County Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Courts, and Municipal Courts collectively make up the county's judicial framework. The Circuit Court has two divisions: the Court of Common Pleas and the Court of General Sessions. The Court of Common Pleas oversees civil cases involving more than $7,500 in dispute, while the Court of General Sessions handles criminal cases such as felonies and domestic assault. The Family Court hears matters such as divorce, child custody, support, and adoption. It also has exclusive jurisdiction over neglect and juvenile cases. The Probate Court hears matters related to estates and guardianships, although it sometimes shares its jurisdiction over these matters with the Circuit Court. The Magistrate Courts address minor criminal matters and preliminary felony hearings. The Municipal Courts have locations in the cities of Hardeeville and Ridgeland. They typically handle local ordinances and traffic violations where the punishment is a fine of up to $500 or sentences of up to 30 days in jail.
Jasper County's public court records are legal documents that offer information on legal cases. They include filings, case summaries, details of parties to the case and their attornies, orders, and final judgments of the court. Per the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the public has the right to review and obtain copies of court records, ensuring transparency within the judicial system. The Jasper County Clerk of Court is responsible for managing these records and facilitating public access to them. Examples of public court records include:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Property records
- Family records
- Probate records
These court records can be obtained in person at the Clerk's Office, which is located at:
358 Third Avenue
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Phone: (843) 726-7700
Alternatively, requesters can use the South Carolina Judicial Branch's online Case Record Search Portal. This state-managed portal is an online database for court records from counties across South Carolina, including Jasper County. Note, however, that downloading copies of court records from this portal may attract fees.
Obtaining court records at the Office of the Hasper County Court Clerk costs different fees depending on the type of record requested. First, the Clerk's Office charges a $15.00 search fee for staff time required to search the court record. After the record is located, an additional $0.50 fee applies for each page of a court record copy made.
