Myrtle Beach Booking Records

Myrtle Beach 24 hour booking records are processed at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County. This coastal city draws millions of visitors each year, and local law enforcement stays active year round. The Myrtle Beach Police Department handles arrests within city limits. After an arrest, the booking record is created at the county detention center. Residents and the public can look up recent booking data through Horry County resources. This page covers how to find and access those records.

How 24 Hour Booking Works in Myrtle Beach

When someone is arrested in Myrtle Beach, the process starts with the Myrtle Beach Police Department. Officers take the person into custody and transport them for booking. The booking step happens at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, which is the main jail for all of Horry County. This facility runs around the clock. It accepts new arrivals at any hour.

During booking, staff collect personal details. They record the person's full name, date of birth, and place of birth. A booking officer checks all documents in the person's possession. Fingerprints and a photograph are taken within 24 hours of arrival. Each arrest creates a new record in the system. These records include the charges, the arrest date, and the arresting agency.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department follows set procedures for every arrest. Their policies and procedures manual covers how prisoners are received into the detention area. Property is searched and cataloged. All of this becomes part of the booking record. Once the data is in the system, it can be accessed through public records channels.

Myrtle Beach sees a large number of arrests during peak tourist months. Summer brings a surge in activity along the Grand Strand. The booking roster at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center reflects this pattern. Arrest records from Myrtle Beach make up a notable share of the total Horry County bookings.

Note: Booking records are created at the county level even when the arrest is made by Myrtle Beach city police.

Myrtle Beach Arrest Record Search

There are a few ways to look up booking records tied to Myrtle Beach. The most direct path is through Horry County. The county manages the detention center and keeps the booking roster. You can search by name to find recent arrests.

The Horry County website provides access to inmate and booking information. This covers all arrests processed at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, including those from Myrtle Beach. You can search by the person's name or booking date. Results show the charges, bond amount, and current status.

For older records or a broader search, the SLED CATCH system is another option. SLED CATCH stands for Citizens Access to Criminal Histories. It is a name-based search tool run by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Results come from fingerprint submissions by law enforcement across the state. It is not free, but it can show arrest records from Myrtle Beach and other areas.

Court records tied to Myrtle Beach arrests are available through the South Carolina Courts case records search. This tool covers cases filed in Horry County courts. You can look up a case by name or case number. It shows filing dates, charges, and case status.

Public Records and Booking Data

South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act gives the public a right to access government records. Booking records from Myrtle Beach fall under this law. Any person can request records from the Myrtle Beach Police Department or from Horry County. The agency must respond within a set time frame. Some records may be withheld if they fall under a legal exception, but most booking data is public.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department has a Records Division that processes these requests. You can submit a request in person or by mail. The department may charge a fee for copies. Basic information like the name, charges, and arrest date is typically available without delay. More detailed files may take longer to produce.

Under South Carolina Code Section 17-1-60, certain restrictions apply to the publication of booking photographs. This law limits how mugshot images can be used in some contexts. It does not block access to the underlying booking record itself. The text of the arrest, the charges, and the booking details remain open to the public in Myrtle Beach.

Note: FOIA requests to the Myrtle Beach Police Department should include as much detail as possible, such as the person's full name and approximate arrest date.

J. Reuben Long Detention Center

The J. Reuben Long Detention Center is where all Myrtle Beach arrests are booked. It sits in Conway, which is the Horry County seat. The facility is large. It holds hundreds of inmates at any given time. Staff process new bookings throughout the day and night.

When a person is booked at the detention center, they go through an intake process. This includes a medical screening, a background check, and a review of any outstanding warrants. The booking record is then added to the county system. Bond is set based on the charges and any prior record. Some people are released on bond the same day. Others must wait for a bond hearing.

The Myrtle Beach Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations and misdemeanor cases. More serious charges go to the Horry County court system. In both cases, the arrest and booking record originates at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. Court records from Myrtle Beach cases can be searched through the state courts website.

Booking Record Expungement

In some cases, a person may be able to have a Myrtle Beach booking record expunged. Expungement means the record is removed from public view. South Carolina law allows expungement in certain situations. The rules are found in Title 17, Chapter 1 of the South Carolina Code.

Not every booking record qualifies. If charges were dismissed or the person was found not guilty, expungement may be an option. First-time offenses for minor crimes may also qualify under specific conditions. The process requires filing a petition with the court. A judge must approve the request. Once granted, the record is sealed and should no longer appear in public searches.

Myrtle Beach residents who want to pursue expungement should start at the Horry County courthouse. The Solicitor's Office can provide guidance on whether a case qualifies. Legal aid organizations in the area may also help with the process at reduced cost.

Note: Expungement does not happen automatically in Myrtle Beach or anywhere else in South Carolina. The person must file the proper paperwork and pay any required fees.

Horry County Booking Records

Myrtle Beach is located in Horry County. All bookings from the city go through the Horry County detention system. For a full overview of county-level booking records, inmate search tools, and related resources, visit the Horry County page.

View Horry County Booking Records

Nearby South Carolina Cities

Other cities in the region also have booking records available through their county systems. Select a city below to find booking information for that area.

View Major South Carolina Cities