Newberry County
Newberry County, founded in 1785, is situated in the Midland region of South Carolina. Its - population estimate as of 2023 is 38,825, and the county seat is the City of Newberry. Approximately 67.3% of the population are of white descent, while 28.9% belong to the African/Black American ethnic group.
The Newberry County court system consists of a general jurisdiction court (the Circuit Court), two specialized courts (the Probate Court and Juvenile Court), and two limited jurisdiction courts (the Magistrate Court and Municipal Courts). The Newberry County Circuit Court hears all criminal cases punishable by fines exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment longer than 30 days, as well as civil cases involving amounts greater than $7,500.
The Family Court serves as the sole forum for handling cases related to marriage, divorce, child custody, separation, alimony, and termination of parental rights. It also has jurisdiction over crimes committed by juveniles, excluding traffic offenses.
In the Probate Court, the probate judge oversees the estates of incapacitated persons and resolves cases involving wills, estates, and trusts. Additionally, the Magistrate Court handles all traffic and misdemeanor criminal cases punishable by up to a 30-day jail sentence or a $500 fine. It also has jurisdiction over landlord-tenant disputes and small claims cases involving amounts up to $7,500.
Municipal Courts in Newberry County have no civil jurisdiction. They are authorized only to adjudicate violations of state statutes and municipal ordinances within city limits.
One of the primary functions of the Newberry Clerk of Court is to maintain court records generated during legal proceedings held within the county. These records are accessible to the public unless they are sealed or deemed confidential by state law or court rules. To protect the private information of the parties involved, records from juvenile and certain family law proceedings are exempt from public access.
In the Clerk's Office, record seekers can request public court records for various types of cases, including:
- Criminal cases
- Traffic cases
- Civil cases
- Probate cases
- Family law cases
Alternatively, public court records are also accessible online through the South Carolina Judicial Branch's Case Records Search. Users can search for these records by entering a case number, filing date, or party name.
