Charleston Traffic Court Records
Charleston traffic court records are handled by the Charleston Municipal Court at 180 Lockwood Boulevard. The court processes citations issued by the Charleston Police Department for violations that occur within city limits. Whether your ticket came from a routine stop on Highway 17 or a downtown intersection, this guide helps you find your Charleston traffic case, understand what steps to take, and connect with the right court resources.
Charleston Quick Facts
Charleston Municipal Court Traffic Tickets
The City of Charleston operates its own municipal court for traffic violations occurring within city limits. Charleston Municipal Court is located at 180 B Lockwood Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29403. The phone number is (843) 724-7460. Traffic court sessions are held on Monday afternoons, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout the year. The court is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit.
Citations issued by the Charleston Police Department are processed here. The court handles thousands of traffic cases each year. You can view the court docket schedule online to confirm your date, time, and assigned courtroom.
The Charleston Municipal Court traffic ticket page provides session schedules, payment options, and docket information for citations issued within the city. Visit the Charleston Municipal Court traffic ticket page to find information on scheduled sessions, how to pay your ticket, and what to do if you want to contest a citation issued in Charleston.
| Court | Charleston Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 180 B Lockwood Boulevard Charleston, SC 29403 |
| Phone | (843) 724-7460 |
| Cashier Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Traffic Court Sessions | Monday afternoons, Wednesdays, Thursdays |
| Payment Methods | Cash, certified checks, money orders, debit, credit. Personal checks not accepted. |
| Court Website | charleston-sc.gov |
Note: Tickets marked "Appearance Required" mandate in-person court attendance. Paying by mail requires a cashier's check or money order made payable to the City of Charleston, along with your ticket number and current address.
Paying or Contesting Charleston Traffic Citations
You have options when you receive a traffic citation in Charleston. You can pay the fine or contest the charge in court. Paying your ticket without contesting it is treated as a guilty plea under Section 56-5-6220 of the South Carolina Code. A conviction will appear on your driving record and may affect your insurance rates.
Payments can be made in person at the Municipal Court during cashier hours, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. You may also pay by mail using a cashier's check or money order. Online court payments are available through the city's portal for eligible citations. The court accepts cash, certified checks, money orders, debit cards, and credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted.
If you choose to contest your ticket, appear in traffic court on your scheduled date. The court schedule lists which officers are assigned to each session. You can request a continuance by contacting the court in advance. Defendants who appear in court may request a jury trial for eligible offenses.
How to Search Charleston Traffic Court Records
Charleston traffic court records can be searched through several tools depending on your case type. For violations handled by Charleston Municipal Court, visit the court's traffic ticket page to view dockets and case information. Some Charleston Municipal Court records are also accessible through the statewide tools.
The SC traffic ticket search portal covers participating courts statewide. You can search by citation number, driver's license number, or name and date of birth. The portal lets you look up case status and pay eligible fines online. Not all municipal courts participate, so check your citation if your case does not appear.
The SC case records search on sccourts.org lets you search public court records by party name, case number, or filing date. Select Charleston County from the county dropdown to focus your results. The public index is updated nightly, so new filings may not appear until the next business day. Some records require an in-person visit to the Clerk of Court to access certified copies.
The SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org provides the full portal for state court information and county-level contacts. Court records are public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Agencies must respond to FOIA requests within 10 business days for records less than two years old.
Charleston Traffic Citations and DMV Points
A traffic conviction from Charleston Municipal Court is reported to the SC DMV and points are assigned to your license. Reckless driving carries six points. Speeding 10 to 25 mph over the limit carries four points. Most minor moving violations carry two points. Accumulating 12 points triggers an automatic license suspension.
Points are reduced by half after one year from the violation date. They are removed entirely after two years. The SC DMV points system page lists all violations and their point values. Drivers with four or fewer points may complete a certified defensive driving course to reduce their total by up to four points once every three years.
You can request your driving record from the SC DMV driving records page. Both three-year and ten-year versions cost $6.00. The record shows license status, violations, convictions, suspensions, and point totals. Certified copies are accepted for legal and employment purposes.
Note: Online payment of a Charleston traffic citation results in a guilty plea under state law and will appear on your driving record.
State Resources for Charleston Traffic Cases
Several state resources apply to Charleston traffic cases. The SC.GOV traffic tickets and court payments page provides a central guide to payment options across the state. The site links to participating court portals and explains the online payment process for eligible citations.
The SC Judicial Branch magistrate court overview explains how summary courts operate statewide. While Charleston Municipal Court is not a magistrate court, many of the same procedural rules apply. Understanding the summary court system helps you know your rights and options when handling a Charleston traffic case.
The SC Judicial Branch website serves as the central hub for state court information, forms, rules, and records access across all South Carolina court levels including Charleston Municipal Court.
Charleston County Traffic Court Records
Charleston is located in Charleston County. The county operates multiple courts including magistrate courts, the Charleston Municipal Court, and the North Charleston Municipal Court. For violations that occur in unincorporated Charleston County or outside city limits, the case goes to a county magistrate court. For the full county court system, visit the Charleston County traffic court records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby cities handle traffic tickets through their own municipal or county courts. Pick a city below to learn about traffic court records in that area.