Newberry County Magistrate Court cases in Newberry County, Newberry, SC
Newberry County Probate Court is a county-level probate court of limited jurisdiction within South Carolina's Unified Judicial System. It oversees the administration of decedents' estates, validates wills, appoints personal representatives, and supervises trusts. The court hears matters involving adult and minor guardianships and conservatorships, conducts involuntary commitment proceedings for mental health and chemical dependency under state law, and issues marriage licenses. Its function is limited to probate and related protective proceedings; it does not adjudicate general civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family-law divorce/custody, or traffic offenses, which are handled by the circuit, family, magistrate, or municipal courts.
Newberry County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Magistrate Court |
| County: | Newberry |
| Street Address: | 833 Main St. |
| City: | Newberry |
| Zip Code: | 29108 |
| Phone: | 803-321-2144 |
| Fax: | 803-321-2172 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.newberrycounty.net/departments/magistrate |
| Parking: | Parking is available at the Newberry County Courthouse. Overflow parking is available in the parking lot located on the corner of Harrington Street and Lindsay Street. |
| Restrictions: | Jurors are expected to wear proper attire and no shorts, tank tops or hats are allowed in the courtroom. Telephone and pagers are not allowed in the Courthouse. |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Newberry/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Jury Service: | https://www.newberrycounty.net/departments/clerk/juror-information |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| About / Additional Info: | The Magistrate's Court is the Summary Criminal Court and the Small Claims Court for South Carolina residents. It is established under the SC Unified Judicial System supervised by the Chief Justice of the SC Supreme Court through the Office of Court Administration. The Magistrates' Court is responsible for trying all traffic cases and misdemeanor criminal offenses that carry up to a 30-day jail sentence or $500 fine. Criminal cases that have more severe consequences are referred to the General Sessions Court.The Magistrates Court also handles small claims disputes up to $7,500 in value and landlord-tenant disputes. Civil cases that exceed small claim maximum value are removed to the Court of Common Pleas. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Newberry County Magistrate Court
Newberry County Probate Court serves the public by:
- Estates and wills: probate wills; appoint personal representatives; small-estate filings; determine heirs; oversee inventories, creditor claims, accountings, and distributions; resolve estate disputes.
- Protective proceedings: appoint guardians/conservators for incapacitated adults or certain minors; issue protective orders to protect persons and property; require reports and annual accountings; modify or terminate appointments.
- Mental health/substance abuse: process emergency and judicial commitment petitions; issue detention/treatment orders; conduct commitment hearings.
- Marriage licenses: receive applications, issue licenses, and maintain records.
- Court administration: accept and docket filings; schedule and conduct hearings; issue orders and letters; provide certified copies, records searches, and standardized forms (no legal advice).
- Jury services: the Probate Court does not conduct jury trials; if a jury is demanded in a probate matter, it is transferred to Circuit Court.