Dillon County Traffic Court Records Lookup
Dillon County traffic court records are handled through the county magistrate courts, the Dillon Municipal Court, and the Clerk of Court at 401 West Main Street. Dillon County sits in the 4th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Chesterfield, Darlington, and Marlboro Counties. Citations issued on I-95, US-301, or within city limits are processed through the appropriate court. This page covers how to find your Dillon County traffic court records, reach the right office, and act on a citation.
Dillon County Quick Facts
Dillon County Clerk of Court
The Dillon County Clerk of Court maintains official records for Circuit Court and Family Court proceedings within the 4th Judicial Circuit. The office is located at 401 West Main Street, Dillon, SC 29536. You can reach the office by phone at (843) 774-1425. Staff manage case filings, certified copy requests, jury services, and general court administration. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Dillon County Clerk of Court page on sccourts.org provides contact information and links to the online public index for Circuit Court records. Records requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the online portal on the SC Judicial Branch website. Public access to case information is available through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index.
The 4th Judicial Circuit includes Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, and Marlboro Counties. The Clerk's office coordinates with the Circuit Court and handles administrative services for all court divisions in Dillon County.
The Dillon County Clerk of Court page at sccourts.org connects you to the public index and provides contact details for the courthouse at 401 West Main Street in Dillon.
| Office | Dillon County Clerk of Court 401 West Main Street Dillon, SC 29536 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (843) 774-1425 |
| Fax | (843) 774-1440 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 4th Judicial Circuit (Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Marlboro) |
| Clerk Page | sccourts.org - Dillon County Clerk |
Dillon Municipal Court Traffic Cases
The City of Dillon operates its own municipal court that handles traffic violations and city ordinance cases within the city limits. The Dillon Municipal Court is located in the City/County Complex Building at 401 West Main Street, Dillon, SC 29536. The court employs three staff members: Honorable Mackie Hayes, Honorable Alan L. Berry, Jr., and Clerk Angela C. Freitas. Office hours for the municipal court are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Regular court sessions are held every Wednesday beginning promptly at 9:00 AM. The court hears misdemeanor criminal cases subject to a fine up to $500 and imprisonment not exceeding 30 days. Municipal judges also conduct bond hearings seven days a week at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM at the Dillon County Detention Center. All cell phones must be turned off before entering the courtroom.
The Dillon Municipal Court page at cityofdillonsc.gov provides information on court schedules, how to pay a fine, and what to do if you have a case before the court. Fines can be paid in person Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Mail payments must be made by cashier's check or money order payable to the Dillon Municipal Court. Personal checks are not accepted.
Note: If your citation was issued by the Dillon Police Department, your case goes to the municipal court. Citations from the Sheriff's Office or SC Highway Patrol in unincorporated areas go to the county magistrate court instead.
Dillon County Magistrate Court and Traffic Citations
The Dillon County Magistrate Court handles traffic violations and misdemeanor criminal cases in unincorporated areas of the county. The magistrate court is located in Dillon with regular business hours. Magistrate jurisdiction covers criminal misdemeanors subject to fines up to $500 or imprisonment up to 30 days, and civil small claims up to $7,500. Bond hearings are available for persons arrested by the Dillon County Sheriff's Office and other agencies.
Traffic court sessions are scheduled on designated days for traffic cases, criminal matters, and civil disputes. Citations can be paid online through the SC.GOV court payments portal or in person at the magistrate court office. The court coordinates with the 4th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office for criminal case prosecution. Defendants have the right to request jury trials for eligible cases within magistrate court jurisdiction.
The SC Judicial Branch magistrate court overview explains how summary courts work across South Carolina. There are roughly 300 magistrates statewide, each appointed by the Governor for four-year terms. Magistrate judges in Dillon County have countywide jurisdiction and authority to issue warrants and conduct preliminary hearings.
How to Look Up Dillon County Traffic Records
The SC traffic ticket search portal is the primary tool for finding a Dillon County magistrate court citation. You can search by citation number, driver's license number, or name and date of birth. The portal is maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Branch and covers participating summary courts statewide. For municipal court citations from the City of Dillon, contact the municipal court directly at 401 West Main Street or visit the cityofdillonsc.gov municipal court page.
For circuit court records, use the SC case records search. The Public Index allows searches by case number, party name, filing date, and case type. Select Dillon County from the county dropdown to filter results. The index is updated nightly. Documents sealed by the court or involving juvenile matters are not available on the public index.
Common records for Dillon County traffic cases include citation details, violation type, court date, case status, fine amount, and payment history. Certified copies of court records can be requested from the Clerk of Court at 401 West Main Street. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail. Under the South Carolina FOIA, most court records are public, and the Clerk must respond to a records request within 10 business days for records less than two years old.
Points and Driving Record Impacts in Dillon County
Every traffic conviction in a Dillon County court is forwarded to the SC DMV, which records the conviction and adds points to your license. Reckless driving and speeding 25 or more mph over the limit carry six points each. Speeding 10 to 25 mph over carries four points. Minor moving violations earn two points. At 12 points the DMV suspends your license for three months. At 16 to 17 points it becomes four months, and 20 or more points results in a six-month suspension. The SCDMV points page lists all current point values.
Points are reduced by half after one year from the violation date. After two years, they are removed entirely. A defensive driving course can trim up to four points from your record once every three years. Your driving record is available for $6.00 from the SC DMV driving records page. Paying a citation online or in person without contesting it counts as a conviction under SC Code Section 56-5-6220 and will appear on your record and may affect your auto insurance rates.
Cities in Dillon County
Dillon is the county seat and largest city in the county. The City of Dillon operates its own municipal court for violations within city limits. Violations in unincorporated Dillon County go to the county magistrate court system.
Always check your citation to confirm whether your case is in the Dillon Municipal Court or the county magistrate court. The two courts operate separately, maintain different dockets, and use different payment processes.
Nearby Counties
Dillon County is in the 4th Judicial Circuit alongside Chesterfield, Darlington, and Marlboro Counties. It also borders Marlboro, Robeson (NC), and Marion Counties. If a citation was issued near a county line, the issuing officer's agency determines which court handles your case.