Jasper County Magistrate Court cases in Jasper County, Ridgeland, SC
Jasper County Magistrate Court in Ridgeland, SC is a county magistrate (summary) court within South Carolina's Unified Judicial System. It serves as a first-level trial court for limited-jurisdiction matters: issuing arrest and search warrants, setting bonds, conducting preliminary hearings in criminal cases, and trying misdemeanor offenses within summary-court limits. On the civil side, it hears small claims, contract and property-damage disputes, and landlord-tenant (eviction) actions involving up to $7,500. The court also handles traffic and county ordinance violations cited by state or county law enforcement. It does not hear divorces, custody, or other family matters, and it does not try felonies, which proceed to the Court of General Sessions.
Jasper County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Magistrate Court |
| County: | Jasper |
| Street Address: | 967 W. Adams St. |
| City: | Ridgeland |
| Zip Code: | 29936 |
| Phone: | 843-726-7933 |
| Fax: | 843-726-4191 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:00PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.jaspercountysc.gov/services/magistrate |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Jasper/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/Jasper-County-Magistrate-CRT-243945059687835/ |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-bostick-9665b173/ |
| About / Additional Info: | There are approximately 319 magistrates in South Carolina, each serving the county for which he or she is appointed. They are appointed by the Governor upon the advice and consent of the Senate for four-year terms.The Jasper County Magistrates’ Court is comprised of (2) full-time Magistrates and (3) part-time Magistrates. Magistrates have criminal trial jurisdiction over all offenses which are subject to the penalty of a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both. In addition, magistrates may hear cases transferred from general sessions, the penalty for which does not exceed one-year imprisonment or a fine of $5,000, or both, upon petition by the solicitor and agreement by the defendant.Magistrates have civil jurisdiction when the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,500. In addition, magistrates are responsible for setting bail, conducting preliminary hearings, and issuing arrest and search warrants. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper_County_Courthouse_(South_Carolina) |
Services and Case Types Handled in Jasper County Magistrate Court
Jasper County Magistrate Court serves the public by:
- Case filings: accepts civil small-claims, landlord-tenant (evictions/dispossessory), garnishments, county/municipal ordinance violations; processes traffic/criminal citations, bad‑check cases, and applications for arrest/search warrants.
- Protective orders: receives and schedules petitions for protective/restraining orders authorized by state law (e.g., stalking/harassment) and may issue temporary orders where permitted.
- Court hearings: conducts arraignments/first appearances, bond and preliminary hearings, civil and eviction trials, default and contempt hearings; issues summonses, subpoenas, and judgments.
- Jury services: summonses and manages jurors for eligible civil and misdemeanor trials; handles excusals/deferrals and juror check‑in.
- Public services: calendars and case status access, forms and procedural guidance (not legal advice), records/certifications, payment of fines/fees, and compliance processing.