Charleston Arrest Booking Records
Charleston 24 hour booking records track every arrest made by city police. Charleston is the largest city in South Carolina with about 150,000 residents. The Charleston Police Department handles law enforcement across the city. When officers make an arrest, the person is taken to the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center for booking and processing. Booking records created during this process become public records under state law. These records include the arrest date, charges filed, and bond details.
Charleston Quick Facts
Charleston 24 Hour Booking Process
Arrests in Charleston follow a clear path. Officers respond to calls or observe crimes. They make the arrest on scene. The suspect is then taken to the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center for booking. This happens around the clock, every day of the year. The detention center is run by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office and serves all law enforcement agencies in the county.
During booking, staff record the person's name, date of birth, and physical details. They take a photograph and collect fingerprints. Officers list each charge against the person. A bond amount may be set based on the charges. All of this information goes into the 24 hour booking log. The data is then available to the public through the Charleston County inmate search system.
The booking process usually takes one to three hours. Wait times vary based on how busy the facility is. Once complete, the arrested person either posts bond or stays in custody until a court hearing. Records from every booking stay in the system and can be searched later.
The Charleston County inmate search portal lets you look up current and recent bookings from Charleston.
This portal shows booking data for all arrests processed at the Al Cannon Detention Center. It covers arrests made by Charleston Police as well as other agencies in the county.
Charleston Police Department Records
The Charleston Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city. It handles patrol, investigations, and arrests within Charleston city limits. The department's Records Division processes requests for incident reports and arrest records. You can submit a request in person or by mail through the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
| Agency | Charleston Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 180 Lockwood Boulevard Charleston, SC 29403 |
| Phone | (843) 743-7200 |
| Detention Facility | Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center |
| County | Charleston County |
The Records Division is open during regular business hours on weekdays. Some records require fees for copies. Contact the department at (843) 743-7200 to ask about the records you need. The staff can tell you what is available and what the costs are.
Visit the Charleston Police Department website for more details on how to request records and file FOIA requests.
How to Find 24 Hour Booking Data
There are several ways to search for Charleston booking records. Each method gives you different levels of detail. The fastest option is the online inmate search. It shows current detainees and recent bookings. For older records, you may need to use the state system or contact the department directly.
The Charleston County inmate search covers recent arrests. You can search by name or booking number. Results show the charges, booking date, and bond status. This tool works best for finding people who were booked in the last few days or weeks.
For a broader search, use the SLED CATCH system. CATCH stands for Citizens Access to Criminal Histories. It covers all arrests in South Carolina, not just Charleston. The system requires a name and date of birth to search. There is a fee for each search. Results show arrest records backed by fingerprint data held at the state level.
- Charleston County inmate search for recent bookings
- SLED CATCH for statewide criminal history
- Charleston Police Records Division for incident reports
- SC Judicial Public Index for court case records
Court records tied to Charleston arrests are available through the South Carolina Judicial Department. This system shows case filings, hearing dates, and outcomes. It does not show the original booking data but it does show what happened after the arrest moved into the court system.
Note: SLED CATCH is a name-based search and may produce false results if the person has used aliases or if common names match other records.
South Carolina Booking Record Laws
Booking records in Charleston are public under state law. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act gives the public the right to access government records. This includes arrest and booking data held by police departments and detention centers. There are limited exceptions, but most booking records are open to anyone who asks.
The law on publication of arrest records is found in S.C. Code Section 17-1-60. This statute covers how and when arrest data can be shared. It sets rules for what details appear in public booking reports. Law enforcement agencies must follow these rules when releasing 24 hour booking information.
Some records may be sealed or restricted. Under South Carolina expungement law, certain charges can be removed from a person's record. If a case was dismissed or the person was found not guilty, they may petition the court to expunge the arrest record. Once expunged, the booking record will not appear in public searches.
Note: Expungement does not happen automatically. The person must file a petition and the court must approve it before any records are removed.
Charleston Municipal Court Records
After an arrest in Charleston, many cases go to the Charleston City Municipal Court. This court handles city ordinance violations and misdemeanor charges filed by Charleston Police. Court records show the case outcome, including convictions, dismissals, and plea deals. These records are separate from the original booking data but are linked by the same case.
More serious charges go to the Charleston County Court of General Sessions. Felony cases and high-level misdemeanors are handled at the county level. You can search these records through the SC court records search tool. The system lets you look up cases by party name or case number at no cost.
The Municipal Court Clerk can provide copies of court records for cases heard in Charleston. Call the court to ask about fees and hours. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Most requests can be handled the same day if you visit in person.
Charleston County 24 Hour Booking
Charleston is located in Charleston County. All arrests made by Charleston Police are processed at the county detention center. For full details on the county booking system, bond schedules, and detention center operations, visit the Charleston County booking records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other cities in South Carolina also publish 24 hour booking records. Select a city below to view arrest and booking data for that area.