Florence County Traffic Court Records
Florence County traffic court records are among the most searched in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. The county operates multiple magistrate courts that handle traffic matters across its jurisdiction, and the City of Florence has its own municipal court for violations within city limits. Whether you received a citation on I-95, US-76, or a local road, this guide helps you find Florence County traffic court records, understand your options, and reach the right court for your case in the 12th Judicial Circuit.
Florence County Quick Facts
Florence County Clerk of Court
The Florence County Clerk of Court is the official custodian of Circuit Court and Family Court records in the 12th Judicial Circuit. The office is located at 181 N. Irby Street, Room 1000, Florence, SC 29501. Staff handle case filings, respond to public records requests, manage jury services, and support court operations across all divisions. The Clerk processes thousands of cases annually across all court divisions in Florence County.
The Florence County Clerk of Court page on sccourts.org lists direct contact information and links to the online public index for searching circuit court and family court records. This is the primary online resource for attorneys, litigants, and the public seeking case records in Florence County.
The Clerk of Court listing at sccourts.org connects you to the public index, contact details, and additional online tools for Florence County case records.
| Office | Florence County Clerk of Court 181 N. Irby Street, Room 1000 Florence, SC 29501 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (843) 665-3031 |
| Fax | (843) 665-3043 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 12th Judicial Circuit (Florence and Marion Counties) |
Records requests can be submitted to the Florence County Clerk in person at Room 1000, by mail, or through the online portal linked from the sccourts.org page.
Florence County Magistrate Court Traffic Cases
The Florence County Magistrate Court serves as the summary court for traffic violations and misdemeanor offenses throughout the county. Multiple office locations serve different geographic areas of Florence County to provide local access to court services. Magistrate judges have jurisdiction over traffic offenses, criminal misdemeanors with fines up to $500 or imprisonment up to 30 days, and small claims up to $7,500.
Bond hearings are conducted for persons arrested by the Florence County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments throughout the county. Traffic citations can be paid online through the SC.GOV portal or in person at magistrate office locations. Contact the Florence County Magistrate Court for current session schedules, office locations, and case information.
Court sessions are scheduled for traffic cases, criminal matters, and civil disputes on designated days at each office location. Defendants have the right to request jury trials for eligible criminal cases within magistrate court jurisdiction. The magistrate court coordinates with the 12th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office for criminal case prosecutions.
Note: Contact the specific magistrate office whose jurisdiction covers where your citation was issued to confirm court dates and payment procedures.
City of Florence Municipal Court
The City of Florence operates its own municipal court for traffic violations and city ordinance cases. Traffic citations issued by Florence Police Department officers within city limits are handled by the Florence Municipal Court rather than the county magistrate system. The municipal court handles violations of city ordinances and state traffic laws that occur within city boundaries.
For questions about traffic citations issued within the City of Florence, contact the Florence Municipal Court directly. The court handles bond hearings for city arrests and maintains its own docket separate from the county magistrate courts. For violations that occur in unincorporated Florence County, the matter goes to a county magistrate court. Always check your citation to confirm the issuing agency and the court listed on the ticket.
How to Search Florence County Traffic Records
There are several ways to find Florence County traffic court records. For magistrate court cases, use the SC traffic ticket search or the SC case records search. These statewide tools cover magistrate and circuit court cases filed in Florence County. You can search by citation number, driver's license number, or name and date of birth.
When searching the public index, select Florence County from the county dropdown menu. The system supports searches by case number, party name, filing date range, case type, and action type. The index is updated nightly. Recently filed cases may not appear until the next business day. Sealed cases, juvenile matters, and certain protected records are excluded from public access.
Records available for Florence County traffic cases include citation details, scheduled court dates, case status and disposition, fine amounts and payment history, and warrant information. Certified copies of records can be requested from the Florence County Clerk of Court at 181 N. Irby Street. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, most court records are public, and the Clerk must respond within 10 business days for records under two years old.
The SC Judicial Branch website provides additional tools including court forms, county-specific contact pages, and legal resources for Florence County residents and attorneys.
Points and Driving Record Impact in Florence County
A traffic conviction in any Florence County court is reported to the SC DMV. The DMV assigns points based on the type of violation. Reckless driving and passing a stopped school bus each carry six points. Speeding 10 to 25 mph over the limit carries four points. Failing to yield, following too closely, and improper lane changes also carry four points each. Minor moving violations typically carry two points. Reaching 12 points triggers an automatic license suspension. The SC DMV points system page lists point values for all common violations.
Points are cut in half after one year from the violation date. After two years from the violation date, points are removed from the record entirely. Drivers with four or fewer points may complete a certified defensive driving course to remove up to four points. This option is available once per lifetime. You can get your official driving record from the SC DMV driving records page for $6.00. Three-year and ten-year record options are both available. Under Section 56-5-6230 of the South Carolina Code, magistrate and municipal courts in Florence County must notify the DMV when any person pays a fine or forfeits bond on a traffic charge.
Note: Online payment of a Florence County traffic citation counts as a guilty plea and will appear as a conviction on your driving record.
Cities in Florence County
Florence County includes the City of Florence as well as other communities such as Timmonsville, Lake City, Johnsonville, and Pamplico. Each city may have its own municipal court for ordinance and traffic violations within its limits. State traffic law violations outside city boundaries are handled by county magistrate courts.
The City of Florence is the largest city in the county and has its own municipal court for traffic violations issued within city limits by Florence Police Department officers.
Nearby Counties
Florence County borders Darlington, Marion, Horry, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Clarendon, Sumter, and Lee Counties. The 12th Judicial Circuit includes Florence and Marion Counties. If your citation was issued near a county boundary, the issuing officer's agency determines which county court handles the case.