Access Berkeley County Court Docket Records

Berkeley County court docket records document every case filed in the county's Circuit Court, Family Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court. The Clerk of Court in Moncks Corner is the official record keeper for all of these filings. Berkeley County is one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina, and its court system handles a high volume of civil and criminal cases each year. You can search the Berkeley County court docket online through the South Carolina Public Index or contact the Clerk of Court directly for copies of specific case documents.

Berkeley County Clerk of Court

The Honorable Leah Guerry Dupree serves as Clerk of Court for Berkeley County. The Clerk's office is the official repository for all court case filings in the county. The courthouse is located at 300-B California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. The mailing address for filings and correspondence is PO Box 219, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. You can reach the office by phone at (843) 719-4400 or by fax at (843) 719-4509.

Berkeley County participates in the South Carolina unified judicial system. The 9th Judicial Circuit covers Berkeley and Charleston counties together. Multiple judges rotate through the circuit on assignment. Circuit Court Judges who serve Berkeley County include the Hon. Deadra L. Jefferson, Hon. Jennifer B. McCoy, Hon. Thomas J. Rode, Hon. Dale E. Van Slambrook, and Hon. Roger M. Young Sr. Family Court Judges include the Hon. Blakely C. Cahoon, Hon. Spiros S. Ferderigos, Hon. Daniel E. Martin Jr., Hon. Gina J. McAlhany, Hon. Michele Patrao Forsythe, and Hon. Alice A. Richter.

The Master-In-Equity for Berkeley County is the Hon. J. Camden West, who handles foreclosure and equity matters. The Probate Court is presided over by the Hon. Keith W. Kornahrens Sr. The Register of Deeds is a separate office held by the Hon. Cynthia B. Forte, reached at (843) 719-4084. The South Carolina Courts directory for Berkeley County provides current listings for all officers and judges.

Berkeley County Court Docket Search

The South Carolina Public Index is the primary online tool for Berkeley County court docket searches. Access it at publicindex.sccourts.org/berkeley/publicindex/. The system is free and lets you search by party name or case number. Each result shows the case type, filing date, parties involved, judge assignment, and a full list of docket entries. This is the most efficient way to check a Berkeley County court docket without visiting the courthouse.

The statewide SC case records search at sccourts.org also covers Berkeley County cases and all other South Carolina counties in one search. This is helpful when you are unsure whether a case was filed in Berkeley County, Charleston County, or another nearby jurisdiction.

Berkeley County docket numbers follow the South Carolina standard format: Year-Type-CountyCode-Number. The county code for Berkeley is 08. A 2024 civil case would show as 2024-CP-08-000200. Family Court cases use the DR prefix. General Sessions criminal cases use GS. Circuit Court cases pending motion or trial are also searchable through the court roster system, which posts scheduled hearings by county and date.

Note: Berkeley County Circuit Court rosters for pending cases, scheduled motions, trials, and hearings are available through the South Carolina court roster system. Search by county and date range to see what is on the calendar.

Berkeley County Court Docket Divisions

Several courts handle cases in Berkeley County, and each generates its own docket records. Understanding the court type helps you find the right records faster.

Circuit Court is the main trial court in Berkeley County. Common Pleas handles civil cases involving contract disputes, property claims, torts, and civil appeals from Magistrate Court. General Sessions handles criminal cases brought by the state, including felonies, serious misdemeanors, and DUI matters. The 9th Judicial Circuit serves both Berkeley and Charleston counties, so judges rotate between the two counties throughout the year.

Family Court handles divorce, legal separation, child custody and support, domestic violence protective orders, adoption, and juvenile matters. Multiple Family Court judges serve Berkeley County given the size of its population. Probate Court handles estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and commitments. Magistrate Courts operate in several communities including Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, and St. Stephen. Municipal courts in Goose Creek, Hanahan, Jamestown, and Moncks Corner handle local ordinance violations and minor criminal matters.

For criminal cases in Berkeley County General Sessions, the CDR codes at sccourts.org explain the offense codes attached to each charge on the court docket. These codes are standardized across all South Carolina counties.

Note: Probate Court records in Berkeley County can be searched online by name, docket number, or keyword through the statewide probate records system, with copies available for purchase.

Berkeley County Court Rosters and Hearings

Court rosters for Berkeley County Circuit Court are available through the South Carolina court roster search at sccourts.org. The roster lists all cases scheduled for hearing on a given date, the judge assigned, and the court location. This is the tool to use when you need to know when a Berkeley County civil or criminal case is set for trial or motion.

Berkeley County is a large county geographically and demographically. The 9th Circuit serves it alongside Charleston County, so judge availability and scheduling can be complex. For General Sessions hearings, the Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes manages the criminal docket. Parties in criminal cases should confirm hearing dates through the solicitor's office or by contacting the Clerk at (843) 719-4400.

Family Court hearing dates in Berkeley County are managed through the Family Court docket system. Contact the Clerk's office for current scheduling information on family matters.

Public Access to Berkeley County Court Records

Berkeley County court records are public records under South Carolina law. The Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10, gives anyone the right to inspect public records held by government agencies. Court files in Berkeley County are open to any person who requests them, subject to specific exemptions for sealed or confidential records.

To request copies of Berkeley County court docket documents, visit the Clerk of Court at 300-B California Avenue in Moncks Corner. Staff will look up cases by name or case number and provide copies at the standard per-page rate. You can also mail a request to PO Box 219, Moncks Corner, SC 29461, or call (843) 719-4400 during business hours. For in-person visits, bring the case number or the names of the parties involved to speed the search.

The Register of Deeds in Berkeley County is a separate office under the Hon. Cynthia B. Forte. Land records and real estate transactions are maintained at (843) 719-4084. These records are distinct from court docket records but may be relevant in civil property cases. The county government portal at berkeleycountysc.gov provides information on all county offices and services.

Cities in Berkeley County

Berkeley County covers a large area and includes several cities and towns. Cases involving residents of these communities are filed at the Berkeley County Courthouse in Moncks Corner. Magistrate and municipal courts in Goose Creek and other municipalities handle local matters.

Nearby Counties

Berkeley County borders several counties in the Lowcountry and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina. Check the county where the relevant events occurred or where the parties reside to confirm which court has jurisdiction.

View All 46 Counties