Traffic Court Records in Kershaw County
Kershaw County traffic court records are maintained through the county magistrate court system in Camden, the county seat. Citations issued by the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and local police are processed through the Kershaw County summary court. Major highways including US-1, US-521, and I-20 pass through the county, generating regular traffic enforcement activity. This page covers how to find Kershaw County traffic court records online, how to handle a citation, and how to connect with the right court office.
Kershaw County Quick Facts
Kershaw County Clerk of Court
The Kershaw County Clerk of Court is the official records custodian for all Circuit Court and Family Court filings in the county. The office is located in Camden and is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The Clerk maintains both current case files and archived records and can assist with certified copies, records requests, and case file searches. Staff are available in person and by phone to help with locating Kershaw County court records.
The Kershaw County Clerk of Court page on sccourts.org provides current contact information and a link to the statewide public index for Kershaw County records. Kershaw County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit with Richland County. The 5th Circuit is one of South Carolina's busiest judicial circuits due to the proximity to the state capital. All case records from Kershaw County are accessible through the statewide online search tools.
The SC Judicial Branch lists Kershaw County court contact details alongside direct links to the online public index. The public index search tool is free and available at any time for searches by name, case number, or filing date range.
The SC traffic ticket search portal covers Kershaw County magistrate court citations and allows searches by ticket number, driver's license number, or defendant name and date of birth.
| Office | Kershaw County Clerk of Court 1121 Broad Street Camden, SC 29020 |
|---|---|
| Circuit | 5th Judicial Circuit |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Clerk Page | sccourts.org - Kershaw Clerk |
Kershaw County Magistrate Court
The Kershaw County Magistrate Court in Camden handles traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims, and civil matters up to $7,500. The court operates under regular business hours and holds scheduled sessions for traffic court, criminal matters, and civil disputes. Bond hearings are conducted for persons arrested by the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office and local police departments operating within the county.
Under South Carolina Code Title 22 Chapter 3, the Kershaw County Magistrate Court has jurisdiction over traffic offenses with penalties up to a $500 fine or 30 days imprisonment. The court also conducts preliminary hearings for felony cases before they are transferred to Circuit Court. The magistrate judge is appointed by the Governor and serves as the primary judicial officer for summary court proceedings. Court records are maintained electronically and in paper format with public access during business hours.
The Kershaw County Magistrate Court page on the county website provides current hours, location information, and contact details. The court coordinates with the 5th Judicial Circuit for case management and criminal prosecutions. Payment arrangements are available for defendants who demonstrate financial hardship when appearing before the court.
Note: Defendants in Kershaw County have the right to request continuances and jury trials in accordance with court rules, but those requests must be made in advance of the scheduled date.
Finding Kershaw County Traffic Court Records Online
You can search Kershaw County traffic court records using the statewide tools provided by the South Carolina Judicial Branch. The SC traffic ticket search covers all magistrate court citations in South Carolina including those issued in Kershaw County. The search is free and requires only a citation number, driver's license number, or defendant name and date of birth.
For broader case searches, the SC case records search portal covers Circuit Court, Family Court, and Magistrate Court records from all 46 counties. Select Kershaw from the county dropdown to access county-specific records. Case summaries include party names, case status, next hearing dates, and basic disposition information. Some documents require in-person access at the Clerk of Court in Camden.
Certified copies of Kershaw County court records must be requested from the Clerk of Court. Requests may be submitted in person at 1121 Broad Street in Camden or by mail. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, most court records are public. The Clerk must respond to a written FOIA request within 10 business days for records under two years old and 20 business days for older records.
Paying Kershaw County Traffic Fines
Kershaw County traffic fines can be paid in person at the magistrate court in Camden or online through the SC.GOV portal. The SC.GOV traffic tickets and court payments page provides statewide online payment access, including for citations issued in Kershaw County. Online payments post to your case record within a few business days.
Paying a Kershaw County traffic citation online or by mail constitutes a guilty plea under Section 56-5-6220 of the South Carolina Code. That payment results in a conviction on your driving record. If you intend to dispute the charge, contact the Kershaw County Magistrate Court before your court date and request a hearing. Paying the fine waives your right to contest the citation in court.
All fines in Kershaw County magistrate court carry the statewide surcharge required by South Carolina law. The court accepts certified checks, money orders, cash, and credit cards for payment. Contact the Kershaw County Magistrate Court directly to confirm the total amount due on any specific citation before submitting payment.
Points and Driving Record Impact in Kershaw County
A traffic conviction in Kershaw County magistrate court is reported to the SC DMV. Points are assigned based on the offense. Reckless driving carries six points. Speeding 10 to 25 mph over the limit adds four points. Most other moving violations carry two points. Twelve or more points on your record triggers a license suspension. The full breakdown is available on the SC DMV points system page.
Points are cut in half after one year from the violation date and removed entirely after two years. Drivers with four or fewer points may qualify for the Traffic Education Program, which costs $140 and can be used once per lifetime. Your South Carolina driving record is available from the SC DMV driving records page for $6.00 in either a three-year or ten-year format.
Under South Carolina Code Title 14, all Kershaw County magistrate court traffic convictions are forwarded to the DMV for entry into your permanent driving record. Insurance companies may access this record and adjust your rates based on any convictions recorded. Review your driving record after any court case to confirm accuracy.
Note: Online payment of a Kershaw County traffic citation results in a guilty plea and a conviction that appears on your driving record and may affect your auto insurance rates.
Nearby Counties
Kershaw County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit with Richland County. It also borders Chesterfield, Lancaster, Fairfield, Richland, Sumter, Lee, and Darlington Counties. If your citation was issued near a county boundary, check the assigned court on your ticket to confirm the correct location to appear.