3rd Judicial Circuit Court cases in Sumter County, Sumter, SC
Sumter County Circuit Court is South Carolina's court of general jurisdiction serving Sumter County from Sumter. Through its two divisions, the Court of Common Pleas (civil) and the Court of General Sessions (criminal), it handles major civil actions beyond magistrate jurisdiction, equity matters, and all felony and higher-level misdemeanor prosecutions. The court also exercises appellate jurisdiction over cases from the county's magistrate and municipal courts, including traffic and other summary offenses, and hears appeals from the Probate Court. It does not adjudicate Family Court matters, which are handled by the separate Family Court; appeals from Family Court proceed to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
3rd Judicial Circuit Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Circuit Court |
| County: | Sumter |
| Street Address: | 215 N. Harvin St. |
| City: | Sumter |
| Zip Code: | 29150 |
| Phone: | 803-436-2227 |
| Fax: | 803-436-2223 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.sumtercountysc.org/departments/a_-_d/clerk_of_court/index.php |
| Restrictions: | Do not bring your mobile phone or electronic communication devices.Do not bring your pocket knife or any type of weapon.Do not wear shorts, flip-flops, halter tops, or tank tops. No hats, no headgear.Men must tuck in their shirts.No food or drink is allowed in the building. |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.sccourts.org/forms/searchType.cfm |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Sumter/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx |
| Jury Service: | http://www.sumtercountysc.org/Departments/Gamecock%20County%20Gazette%20Sept%202019%20_Page_4.jpg |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-campbell-5b586554/ |
| ADA: | Christopher R. Hilditch, ADA Coordinator |
| ADA Phone: | 803-436-2307 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | 803-436-2335, childitch@sumtercountysc.org |
| 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.3rd Judicial Circuit consists of Clarendon, Lee, Sumter, Williamsburg counties. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina_Circuit_Court |
Services and Case Types Handled in 3rd Judicial Circuit Court
Sumter County Circuit Court is the county's court of general jurisdiction. It accepts and dockets filings for criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and, where assigned, probate/guardianship matters; maintains records; and issues summons and subpoenas. The court schedules and conducts arraignments, motion hearings, bench and jury trials, sentencings, and post‑judgment proceedings, and manages mediation and case management. It processes petitions for protective orders and injunctions, sets expedited hearings, and enforces orders. Jury services include summoning and qualifying jurors, handling deferrals/excuses, and managing reporting and payment. Public services include access to calendars and case information, certified copies, forms, and payment of fines, fees, and restitution. Typical case types include felony and serious misdemeanor prosecutions; higher‑value civil disputes, torts, and contract claims; family law (divorce, custody, support); juvenile matters; and appeals from lower courts.