Oconee County Magistrate Court Court cases in Oconee County, Walhalla, SC
Oconee County Magistrates Court in Walhalla, SC, is a county-level magistrate (summary) court within South Carolina's unified judicial system. It has limited jurisdiction over small civil claims up to $7,500, landlord-tenant/eviction actions, claim and delivery, and certain restraining orders under the harassment/stalking statute. On the criminal side, it handles traffic violations and other minor misdemeanors typically punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or fines; it also issues arrest and search warrants, sets bonds, and conducts preliminary hearings for felony cases bound for the Court of General Sessions. It does not hear family or major civil/criminal matters, which are handled by Family Court and Circuit Court.
Oconee County Magistrate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Magistrate Court |
| County: | Oconee |
| Street Address: | 208 Booker Dr. |
| City: | Walhalla |
| Zip Code: | 29678 |
| Phone: | 864-638-4125 |
| Fax: | 864-638-4229 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://oconeesc.com/departments/magistrate-courts |
| Restrictions: | Inappropriate dress would include: hats, tank tops, shorts, flip-flops, etc. Do not bring telephones, pagers or any other noise making electronics. Telephones should be left in your vehicle. Absolutely no weapons are to be brought into the building. |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Oconee/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-burton-85baa154/ |
| ADA: | Sheila Wald, HR Manager |
| ADA Phone: | 864-638-4252 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | 864-718-1027, humanresourcesinfo@oconeesc.com |
| About / Additional Info: | Magistrates issue warrants, set bonds and hear criminal, traffic and civil cases, as well as preliminary hearings. The courts are not to be confused with the local municipal courts. Magistrate Courts in Oconee County handle such types of civil matters as Evictions and Landlord/Tenant disputes, Summons and Complaint actions, Claim and Delivery actions and public sales of abandoned property. Each Magistrate’s Court, sometimes referred to as “Small Claims Court” have countywide jurisdiction involving disputed amounts of less than $7500.00. Civil matters involving amounts greater than $7500.00 must be heard in the Court of Common Pleas. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Oconee County Magistrate Court
Oconee County Magistrates Court serves as the public's entry point for limited civil and lower-level criminal matters. Core services include:
- Civil case filings: small claims/contract disputes, property damage, landlord-tenant/evictions, claim and delivery.
- Criminal processes: arrest and search warrants, first appearance/bond hearings, preliminary hearings, and certain misdemeanor, traffic, and local ordinance cases.
- Protective measures: intake and processing of restraining/protective order requests as authorized by law (e.g., harassment/stalking), or referral to the proper court when required.
- Court hearings: scheduling and conducting bench trials and other hearings; issuing subpoenas and summonses.
- Jury services: juror summons and management, and jury trials where permitted by statute.
- Payments and records: fine/fee collection, case inquiries, and public access to forms and calendars.
The court provides procedural guidance and directs individuals to appropriate resources to resolve disputes efficiently.