Lee County Magistrate Court Court cases in Lee County, Bishopville, SC
Lee County Magistrates Court in Bishopville, South Carolina, is a magistrate (summary) court of limited jurisdiction. It handles lower-level criminal matters (misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days or a fine), traffic and ordinance violations, and conducts initial criminal proceedings, including issuing arrest and search warrants, setting bail, and holding preliminary hearings. On the civil side, it hears small-claims cases up to $7,500, such as contract and property-damage disputes, and landlord-tenant matters, including evictions and claim and delivery. The court can issue restraining orders for harassment or stalking and offers bench or 6-person jury trials where authorized. Family law (divorce, custody, child support) and higher-level criminal or civil cases fall outside its jurisdiction and are heard in the Family or Circuit Courts.
Lee County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Magistrate Court |
| County: | Lee |
| Street Address: | 115 Gregg St. |
| City: | Bishopville |
| Zip Code: | 29010 |
| Phone: | 803-484-6463 |
| Fax: | 803-484-5163 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.leecountysc.org/directory/departments___elected_officials/magistrate_office.php |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Lee/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| About / Additional Info: | The Magistrate’s Court is the Summary Court for Lee County. This court handles small claim civil matters up to $7500, as well as traffic court and miscellaneous criminal cases including wildlife, hunting, boating and fishing violations. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_County_Courthouse_(South_Carolina) |
Services and Case Types Handled in Lee County Magistrate Court
Lee County Magistrates Court serves as the public's entry point for limited civil and criminal matters. Core services include:
- Case filings: small claims/contract disputes within statutory limits; landlord-tenant actions (evictions/dispossessory); county/municipal ordinance violations; bad-check cases; certain garnishments.
- Criminal processing: arrest and search warrants; bond/bail setting; first appearances; preliminary/committal hearings; select misdemeanors and traffic offenses.
- Protective measures: applications for restraining or harassment/stalking orders and emergency protective orders where authorized; referrals to the proper court for domestic matters when required.
- Court hearings: scheduling and conducting bench (and, where authorized, jury) trials; docket and continuance information.
- Jury services (where applicable): juror summons, qualification, and reporting.
- Public services: fine/fee payments; case status and calendars; certified copies and records requests; subpoenas and witness information.
These functions provide accessible, timely resolution of everyday disputes and early-stage criminal procedures for the community.