Traffic Court Records in Lexington County
Lexington County is one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina, and its traffic courts handle a large volume of cases each year. The county is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit and operates multiple magistrate courts to serve different parts of the county. Residents and drivers with citations from I-20, I-26, Highway 1, or the Columbia metro area can use the tools in this guide to find Lexington County traffic court records, look up case status, pay citations online, and understand how convictions affect your South Carolina driving record.
Lexington County Quick Facts
Lexington County Clerk of Court
Lisa M. Comer serves as the Lexington County Clerk of Court. Her office is at 205 East Main Street, Suite 128, Lexington, SC 29072. The office phone is (803) 785-8212. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The Clerk maintains records for Circuit Court, including Common Pleas and General Sessions divisions, as well as Family Court. Criminal court records include traffic infractions alongside misdemeanor and felony cases.
Copy fees at the Lexington County Clerk of Court are $0.25 per page. Certification of a document costs $5 per document. Records are available online through the county clerk's case search portal. Staff can help with searches by case number, party name, or filing date. The Lexington County magistrate court services page lists contact information, fee schedules, and links to online search tools.
| Office | Lexington County Clerk of Court 205 East Main Street, Suite 128 Lexington, SC 29072 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (803) 785-8212 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Copy Fees | $0.25 per page; $5.00 certification per document |
Lexington County Magistrate Court Traffic Cases
The Lexington County Magistrate Court system operates several locations to serve the large and growing population across the county. The Central Traffic Court is located at 521 Gibson Road, Lexington, SC 29072, and can be reached at (803) 785-8400. Additional magistrate court locations serve Irmo, Cayce-West Columbia, and other communities within the county.
The Irmo Magistrate Court is at 6051 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212, phone (803) 781-1913. The Cayce-West Columbia Magistrate Court is at 1021 Carolina Avenue, West Columbia, SC 29169, phone (803) 796-7100. Civil filings are accepted Monday through Friday until 4:30 PM. Criminal Bond Court is held on Tuesdays at 9 AM. County Ordinance Court meets on the last Monday of each month.
The Lexington County Magistrate Court Services page below is the official county resource for traffic court information, including court locations, hours, and how to pay or contest a citation.
Visit lex-co.sc.gov/departments/magistrate-court-services to find Lexington County magistrate court locations, hours, bond court schedules, and information on how to handle your traffic citation at any of the county's court offices.
Magistrate courts in Lexington County handle traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal offenses with penalties up to 30 days or a $500 fine, small claims up to $7,500, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil matters. Bond hearings are held daily for persons arrested by the Lexington County Sheriff's Office and local police agencies. The courts coordinate with the 11th Judicial Circuit for case management and criminal prosecutions.
Note: Magistrate judges in Lexington County have countywide jurisdiction and may hear cases at any court location within the county.
Town of Lexington Municipal Court Records
The Town of Lexington operates its own municipal court for traffic violations issued by Lexington Police Department officers within town limits. The Lexington Municipal Court is located at 111 Maiden Lane, Lexington, SC 29072. The court phone is (803) 359-4164. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The municipal court handles traffic violations, criminal misdemeanors, and town ordinance violations that occur within town limits. Payment of fines can be made in person, by mail, or online depending on the case type. The court accepts cash, check, money order, and credit and debit cards. Personal checks may not be accepted for all payment types.
Traffic citations issued by the Lexington Police Department go through the Town of Lexington Municipal Court, not the county magistrate system. If you received a citation from a different agency, such as the Lexington County Sheriff or the SC Highway Patrol, the case is likely in the county magistrate court instead. Always check your citation to confirm the issuing agency and assigned court.
Court sessions are held on specific days. Defendants can request continuances or contest tickets by appearing on their scheduled court date. The Municipal Court Judge has authority to impose fines up to $500 and jail time up to 30 days for violations within the court's jurisdiction.
How to Find Lexington County Traffic Court Records
The method for looking up your Lexington County traffic court records depends on which court has your case. For county magistrate court cases, use the SC traffic ticket search or the SC case records search. Both statewide tools cover Lexington County magistrate court filings. You can search by citation number, driver's license number, or name and date of birth.
For Town of Lexington Municipal Court cases, contact the court directly at (803) 359-4164 or visit the court office at 111 Maiden Lane. Not all municipal courts participate in the statewide online portal. If a search returns no results, the citation may be in a municipal court that is not linked to the state system.
An online case search is also available through the Lexington County Public Index system for magistrate court cases. Traffic citations in Lexington County can be paid online through the county payment system or through the state SC.GOV portal. The Lexington County magistrate courts page provides dockets, hours, and locations for all court offices across the county.
Points and License Impact from Lexington County Citations
A traffic conviction in any Lexington County court is reported to the SC DMV. The DMV assigns points based on the violation type. Reckless driving earns six points. Speeding 10 to 25 mph over the limit earns four points. Most moving violations carry two points. Accumulating 12 points triggers automatic suspension.
Points are reduced by half after one year from the violation date. They are fully removed after two years. Paying your Lexington County ticket online counts as a guilty plea under Section 56-5-6220 of the South Carolina Code and will result in a conviction posted to your driving record. Check the SC DMV points system page for a complete list of violation point values.
You can request your driving record from the SC DMV driving records page for $6.00. Both three-year and ten-year versions are available. The SC Judicial Branch magistrate court page explains the summary court system and how magistrate courts report convictions to the state.
Note: Online payment of a Lexington County traffic citation constitutes a guilty plea and a conviction that will appear on your driving record and may increase your auto insurance rates.
Cities in Lexington County
Lexington County covers a large area of the Central Midlands region and includes several incorporated cities and towns, each with its own traffic enforcement and court structure. State law violations outside city limits are handled by the county magistrate courts.
Lexington, West Columbia, and Cayce are the largest cities in the county. Each has its own police department and may operate a separate municipal court for city ordinance and traffic violations. Citations issued by county or state agencies go to the county magistrate courts regardless of which city they are located near.
Nearby Counties
Lexington County shares the 11th Judicial Circuit with Richland County. It also borders Aiken, Orangeburg, Calhoun, Newberry, Saluda, and Edgefield Counties. Drivers near county lines should check the issuing agency on their citation to confirm which county court handles their case.