5th Judicial Circuit Court cases in Richland County, Columbia, SC
Richland County Circuit Court in Columbia, South Carolina, is the state trial court of general jurisdiction for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. It operates in two divisions: the Court of Common Pleas (civil) and the Court of General Sessions (criminal). It hears major civil actions (such as tort, contract, and real property disputes) and prosecutes felony and serious misdemeanor criminal cases, conducting both jury and nonjury trials. The Circuit Court also hears appeals from Magistrate, Municipal, and Probate Courts within the county. Routine traffic offenses and family and juvenile matters are handled by Magistrate/Municipal and Family Courts, respectively, though serious traffic-related crimes are prosecuted in General Sessions.
5th Judicial Circuit Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Circuit Court |
| County: | Richland |
| Street Address: | 1701 Main St. |
| City: | Columbia |
| Zip Code: | 29202 |
| Phone: | 803-576-1947 |
| Fax: | 803-576-1785 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Courts-and-Judicial-System/Clerk-of-Court |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Richland/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Jury Service: | https://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Courts-and-Judicial-System/Clerk-of-Court/Jury-Information |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/fifthcircuitsolicitorsoffice/ |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanette-mcbride-0a443b6a/ |
| ADA: | the Ombudsman |
| ADA Phone: | 803-929-6000 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | 803-929-6009, ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov |
| About / Additional Info: | The Circuit Court is the state's court of general jurisdiction. It has a civil court, the Court of Common Pleas, and a criminal court, the Court of General Sessions. In addition to its general trial jurisdiction, the Circuit Court has limited appellate jurisdiction over appeals from the Probate Court, Magistrate's Court, and Municipal Court.The State is divided into sixteen judicial circuits. Each circuit has at least one resident circuit judge who maintains an office in the judge's home county within the circuit. There are forty-nine circuit judges who serve the sixteen circuits on a rotating basis, with court terms and assignments determined by the Chief Justice based upon recommendations of Court Administration. Circuit court judges are elected by the General Assembly to staggered terms of six years.5th Judicial Circuit consists of Kershaw and Richland counties. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina_Circuit_Court |
Services and Case Types Handled in 5th Judicial Circuit Court
Richland County Circuit Court serves as the county's trial court of general jurisdiction. Core services include:
- Case intake and filings for criminal (felonies, major misdemeanors), civil (contracts, injury, property), family law (divorce, custody, support), small claims, and certain appeals.
- Protective orders and injunctions, including domestic violence and harassment restraining orders.
- Court hearings and trials: arraignments, motion hearings, pleas, sentencing, civil hearings, and jury or bench trials; calendar and continuance management.
- Jury services: summons/qualification, orientation, scheduling, and juror assistance.
- Records and public access: docket searches, certified copies, and case file viewing per confidentiality rules.
- Payments and compliance: filing fees, fines, restitution, bonds, and compliance reviews.
- Support services: standardized forms, mediation referrals, language access, and ADA accommodations.
These functions resolve criminal charges and civil disputes, protect safety, and ensure public access to the justice system.