McCormick County Magistrate Court cases in Mccormick County, Mccormick, SC
McCormick County Magistrate Court in McCormick, SC is a South Carolina summary (magistrate) court. It serves as a lower court handling limited-jurisdiction matters, including criminal misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or fines as set by statute, traffic and county/municipal ordinance violations, setting bonds, issuing arrest and search warrants, and conducting preliminary hearings in felony cases. On the civil side, it hears small claims and other civil actions up to $7,500, such as landlord-tenant/evictions, contract and debt disputes, and property damage claims. Family and domestic relations cases are not heard in magistrate court and are handled by the Family Court; major criminal and larger civil cases proceed in the Court of General Sessions and Court of Common Pleas, respectively.
McCormick County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Magistrate Court |
| County: | Mccormick |
| Street Address: | 211 W. Augusta St. |
| City: | McCormick |
| Zip Code: | 29835 |
| Phone: | 864-852-2316 |
| Fax: | 864-852-2582 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.mccormickcountysc.org/mccormick_county_magistrates_office.php |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/McCormick/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | magistrate@mccormickcountysc.org |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-chiles-5340b774/ |
| ADA: | Health Department |
| ADA Phone: | 864-852-2511 |
| About / Additional Info: | Magistrates have criminal trial jurisdiction over all offenses which are subject to the penalty of a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both. In some specific cases punishment can be more. Magistrates issue warrants, set bonds and hear criminal and traffic cases, as well as preliminary hearings. Unlike circuit courts and probate courts, magistrates courts are not courts of record. Proceedings in magistrates’ courts are summary. Traffic tickets may be paid with money orders or certified checks made payable to the court. Traffic tickets may also be paid online.Magistrates also have civil jurisdiction when the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,500 and may include such matters as summons and complaint, landlord/tenant actions, trespass, sales of abandoned property and claim and delivery. Magistrate’s may also issue restraining orders on non-family members. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCormick_County_Courthouse |
Services and Case Types Handled in McCormick County Magistrate Court
McCormick County Magistrate Court serves as the county's summary court for lower-level criminal, traffic, and civil matters. Core services:
- Case filings: small civil claims up to $7,500; landlord-tenant (evictions, rent/possession); claim and delivery; property damage/contract disputes; criminal complaints and warrant applications.
- Criminal/traffic: traffic citations; misdemeanors punishable by up to $500 or 30 days; ordinance violations; arrest/search warrants; bond setting; preliminary hearings for General Sessions cases.
- Protective orders: restraining orders for harassment or stalking (non‑domestic); refers domestic violence Orders of Protection to Family Court.
- Court hearings: initial appearances, bench and 6‑person jury trials, plea hearings, bond court.
- Jury services: summon, qualify, excuse/deferral, and manage jurors.
- Public services: accept payments, provide court dates and forms, and assist with filing procedures and records access.