Colleton County Court Docket Records
Colleton County court docket records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro. The Clerk manages all case filings for Circuit Court, Family Court, and related proceedings across the county. You can search Colleton County court records online through the South Carolina Public Index or visit the courthouse in person. This page covers how to find court dockets, what those records contain, and how to contact the right office when you need help with a case in Colleton County.
Colleton County Quick Facts
Colleton County Clerk of Court
The Colleton County Clerk of Court is The Hon. Gary Hale. The Clerk is an elected official who serves a four-year term and manages all official court records for the county. This office handles docket management, collection of fees and fines, maintenance of court files, and disbursement of court-ordered child support and alimony. The Clerk serves both Circuit Court divisions (General Sessions and Common Pleas) and Family Court.
The courthouse is located at 101 Hampton Street in Walterboro. You can reach the Clerk of Court office by phone at (843) 549-5791. The fax number is (843) 549-6857. The mailing address is PO Box 620, Walterboro, SC 29488. Regular business hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The South Carolina Courts website lists full contact details for Colleton County courthouse staff and judicial officers. Visit sccourts.org to confirm current courthouse information and court assignments for Colleton County.
| Clerk of Court | The Hon. Gary Hale |
|---|---|
| Address |
101 Hampton Street PO Box 620 Walterboro, SC 29488 |
| Phone | (843) 549-5791 |
| Fax | (843) 549-6857 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 14th Circuit |
Colleton County Judicial Officers
Colleton County falls within South Carolina's 14th Judicial Circuit. Circuit Court Judges assigned to the 14th Circuit include Hon. Robert J. Bonds, Hon. Marvin H. Dukes III, and Hon. Carmen T. Mullen. Family Court Judges include Hon. Douglas L. Novak and Hon. Gerald C. Smoak Jr. The Probate Judge is The Hon. Arthur C. Utsey IV, whose office is at PO Box 1036, Walterboro, SC 29488.
Circuit Court judges handle both criminal cases in General Sessions and civil cases in Common Pleas. Family Court judges handle domestic matters including child custody, support, and divorce. The Register of Deeds is The Hon. Sue Kessler, reachable at (843) 542-2745. Her office is at PO Box 157, Walterboro, SC 29488.
Note: Judges rotate across counties in a circuit. The judge assigned to your case may differ from those listed at any given time.
Search Colleton County Court Dockets Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index is the primary tool for searching Colleton County court docket records online. The system is free to use and allows you to search by party name, case number, or filing date. You can find docket entries for Circuit Court and Family Court cases filed in Colleton County. Visit publicindex.sccourts.org/colleton/publicindex/ to begin your search.
The Public Index shows basic case information including the case number, court type, filing date, names of parties, and case status. Docket entries list each event in the case such as hearings, motions, and orders. This is useful if you want to track the progress of a case or confirm whether a case exists. As of January 1, 2026, home address information is no longer displayed on the Public Index for privacy reasons.
You can also search the statewide case records system at sccourts.org/case-records-search/ if you are unsure which county a case was filed in. This tool covers multiple counties and court types across South Carolina.
The Colleton County government portal at colletoncounty.org provides access to county services and public information. The site is a useful starting point for residents who need to locate government offices or services connected to court matters in Colleton County.
In-Person Court Records in Colleton County
Visiting the Colleton County Courthouse at 101 Hampton Street in Walterboro is the most direct way to access detailed court docket records. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for self-service searches. Staff at the Clerk of Court office can assist with finding cases by name or case number.
When you visit, bring a government-issued photo ID. Know the full name of at least one party in the case, an approximate filing year, or a case number if you have one. The Clerk's office can search both current and older records. Older paper records may take more time to locate. You can request certified copies of court documents at the Clerk of Court window. Standard copy fees apply per page, and certified copies cost more than plain copies.
The Clerk's office also handles written records requests. You can mail a request to PO Box 620, Walterboro, SC 29488. Include the names of the parties, the approximate year the case was filed, and a description of what records you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment if required. South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10, governs public access to court records and requires a response within ten business days.
Note: The Clerk of Court does not provide criminal or civil record checks over the phone. All record requests must be submitted in person or in writing.
Types of Court Docket Cases in Colleton County
The Colleton County Court docket includes cases from three primary court divisions. Each division keeps its own case filings and docket records. Understanding which division handled your case helps you search more effectively.
General Sessions handles felony criminal cases in Colleton County. These include indictments, warrants, bonds, and sentencing records. Common Pleas handles civil disputes such as personal injury claims, contract disputes, and appeals from lower courts. Family Court handles domestic matters including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and juvenile cases. All three divisions are accessible through the Public Index.
The Colleton County docket also includes:
- Orders of Protection filed by the Clerk
- Rules to Show Cause for non-payment of court-ordered support
- Probate Court records including estates and guardianships
- Magistrate Court records for misdemeanor and traffic matters
- Judgments and liens recorded in the public record
Certain records are restricted from public view. Juvenile court records, sealed family court filings, adoption records, and grand jury materials are not available to the general public. The Clerk can tell you what is available for a specific case when you contact the office.
CDR Codes and Court Roster for Colleton County
South Carolina uses Charge Disposition Reporting codes, known as CDR codes, to classify offenses in court records. These codes appear on criminal case dockets and background reports throughout the state. You can look up CDR codes at sccourts.org/cdr-codes/. Understanding these codes helps you interpret what a criminal docket entry means in a Colleton County case.
The court roster system shows scheduled hearings and court dates for Colleton County. You can search court rosters at sccourts.org/court-roster-search/. To search, accept the disclaimer, then select the court agency, roster type, and begin date. Rosters are updated regularly and show upcoming cases on the Colleton County docket.
Nearby Counties
Colleton County borders several other South Carolina counties in the Lowcountry region. If you are searching for a case and are unsure which county it was filed in, check the addresses of the parties involved.