Oconee County
Situated in the western region of South Carolina, Oconee County was established in 1868 and named after the Cherokee town, Oconee, which translates to land beside water. It has a land area of 626.58 square miles and a population of 78,607 (2020 US census). Its largest community is Seneca, and its county seat is Walhalla.
The Oconee County court system comprises the following:
- The Oconee County Circuit Court - serves as the greatest court within the county, handling cases outside the jurisdiction had by other courts. It watches criminal cases and civil cases without financial limits
- The Oconee County Family Court - has exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations issues. It hears divorce, annulments, child custody, child support, alimony, termination of parental rights, adoption, juvenile delinquency, and paternity cases
- The Oconee County Magistrate Courts - handles restraining orders, civil claims under $7,500, misdemeanors with a maximum punishment of $500 or 30 days imprisonment, landlord-tenant cases, and preliminary felony hearings. The Magistrate courts in the county are located in the following cities: Seneca, Walhalla, and Westminster
- The Oconee County Probate Court - handles the appointment of guardianship, the admission of wills, and the administration of estates and trust
- The Oconee County municipal courts - hear minor misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and municipal ordinance violations. There are six municipal courts in Oconee County, namely Salem, Seneca, Walhalla, Westminster, and West Union municipal courts
In Oconee County, court schedules, court filings, summons, warrants, transcripts, depositions, court rulings, and other court information are documented as public court records, provided they are not confidential. The Oconee County Clerk of Court maintains court records for the county courts, while clerks of other courts keep their records in compliance with state and county rules.
Unless sealed by court records, Oconee County makes these types of court records available:
- Criminal records
- Traffic records
- Probate records
- Civil records
- Family law records
The public can view non-confidential court records from county courts through the Oconee County Public Index website. Public court records that cannot be accessed on the portal can be viewed at the Clerk of Court's office at:
Oconee County Clerk of Court
205 West Main Street
Walhalla, SC 29691
Phone: (864) 638-4280
Fax: (864) 638-4282
