Horry Public Records /Horry County Warrant Search

Horry County Warrant Search

What Is a Search Warrant In Horry County?

A search warrant in Horry County is a legal document issued by a judicial officer that authorizes law enforcement personnel to search a specifically designated location and seize particular items or evidence described within the warrant. Search warrants are fundamental legal instruments that balance the government's need to investigate crimes against citizens' constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures as protected by the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I, § 10 of the South Carolina Constitution.

Pursuant to South Carolina Code § 17-13-140, search warrants may be issued upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation. The warrant must particularly describe the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. Law enforcement officers must demonstrate to a magistrate or judge that they have probable cause to believe evidence of a crime will be found at the specified location.

Search warrants differ from other types of warrants in several important ways:

Arrest Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to take a person into custody based on probable cause that the individual has committed a crime
Bench Warrants: Issued by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court date or violates a court order
Civil Warrants: Used in non-criminal matters to compel a person to appear in court for civil proceedings

In Horry County, search warrants are typically executed by the Horry County Sheriff's Office or other authorized law enforcement agencies within their jurisdiction.

Are Warrants Public Records In Horry County?

The public accessibility of warrants in Horry County follows a nuanced framework governed by South Carolina law. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically § 30-4-30, government records are generally presumed to be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

However, warrant accessibility depends significantly on the warrant type and status:

Active Warrants: Warrants that have been issued but not yet executed are typically not available for public inspection. This restriction exists to prevent interference with ongoing investigations and to protect officer safety during warrant execution.
Executed Search Warrants: Once a search warrant has been executed and returned to the court, it generally becomes part of the public record, though certain information may be redacted pursuant to § 30-4-40 of the South Carolina FOIA, which exempts information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings or constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
Arrest Warrants: Information about executed arrest warrants is typically available through the Horry County Clerk of Court as part of the public case file, though access may be restricted if the case involves juveniles or certain sensitive matters.
Sealed Warrants: A judge may order a warrant sealed for various reasons, including protection of confidential informants, safeguarding ongoing investigations, or protecting victims. Sealed warrants are not accessible to the public until the seal is lifted by court order.

The South Carolina Judicial Department maintains that while court records are generally public, certain exceptions apply to protect privacy interests and the integrity of the judicial process.

How to Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Horry County?

Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Horry County may utilize several official channels. The Horry County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated Warrant Division that processes and manages all warrants issued within the county jurisdiction.

Horry County Sheriff's Office - Warrant Division
1301 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-8347
Horry County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public may verify warrant status through the following methods:

Direct Contact: Individuals may contact the Warrant Division by telephone at (843) 915-8347 during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM).
In-Person Inquiry: Citizens may visit the Sheriff's Office in person to inquire about potential warrants. Valid photo identification is required for this service.
Online Resources: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains a database of wanted persons that includes information about outstanding warrants across the state.
Clerk of Court: The Horry County Clerk of Court maintains records of court proceedings, including information about warrants that have been issued through the court system.

Horry County Clerk of Court
1301 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-5080
Horry County Clerk of Court

Individuals concerned about potential warrants are advised that appearing in person to check warrant status may result in immediate arrest if an active warrant exists. Those with concerns may wish to consult with legal counsel before proceeding.

How To Check for Warrants in Horry County for Free

Members of the public may verify the existence of warrants in Horry County through several no-cost methods provided by local government agencies. The following procedures allow individuals to conduct warrant searches without incurring fees:

Public Access Terminal: The Horry County Judicial Center provides public access terminals where citizens may search court records, including information about warrants that have been processed through the court system. These terminals are available during regular business hours at:

Horry County Judicial Center
1301 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-5080

Online Case Search: The South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index offers a free online search tool that allows users to search court records by name. While this system does not specifically list active warrants, it provides information about criminal cases that may indicate warrant status.
Telephone Inquiry: The Horry County Sheriff's Office Warrant Division accepts telephone inquiries regarding warrant status at (843) 915-8347. When calling, individuals should be prepared to provide their full legal name and date of birth for verification purposes.
SLED Wanted Persons Database: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains a searchable database of wanted persons that includes individuals with active warrants in Horry County and throughout the state.

Pursuant to South Carolina Code § 17-13-60, law enforcement agencies are authorized to maintain and share information about outstanding warrants to facilitate the apprehension of wanted individuals.

What Types of Warrants In Horry County

Horry County courts and law enforcement agencies issue several distinct types of warrants, each serving specific legal purposes within the criminal justice system. The following warrant categories are commonly utilized in Horry County:

Arrest Warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime. These warrants authorize law enforcement to take the named person into custody. Pursuant to South Carolina Code § 17-13-10, arrest warrants must be issued by a magistrate or other judicial officer upon sworn information.
Bench Warrants: Issued directly by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court date, violates terms of probation, or fails to comply with a court order. These warrants direct law enforcement to bring the person before the court.
Search Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search specified premises for evidence related to criminal activity. As governed by South Carolina Code § 17-13-140, these warrants require probable cause and must specifically describe the place to be searched and items to be seized.
Civil Warrants: Used in non-criminal proceedings to compel appearance or compliance with court orders in matters such as debt collection, evictions, or other civil disputes.
Family Court Warrants: Issued in cases involving child support non-payment, custody violations, or other family court matters.
Fugitive Warrants: Issued when an individual is wanted in another jurisdiction and is believed to be in Horry County. These facilitate the detention of individuals pending extradition proceedings.
Probation Violation Warrants: Issued when an individual on probation violates the terms of their supervision as determined by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

Each warrant type follows specific procedural requirements established by South Carolina law and administered through the Horry County court system.

What Warrants in Horry County Contain

Warrants issued in Horry County contain specific information as required by South Carolina law to ensure legal validity and proper execution. Pursuant to South Carolina Code § 17-13-50, warrants must include the following essential elements:

Case Number: A unique identifier assigned to the warrant for tracking and reference purposes.
Subject Information: The full legal name of the individual against whom the warrant is issued, along with identifying information such as date of birth, physical description, and last known address when available.
Offense Details: A description of the alleged criminal offense, including the specific South Carolina Code section violated, date and location of the alleged offense, and classification (misdemeanor or felony).
Probable Cause Statement: A sworn statement establishing the factual basis for probable cause that justifies the issuance of the warrant. This section may be detailed in arrest warrants but is typically more extensive in search warrants.
Issuing Authority: The name and title of the judicial officer (magistrate, municipal judge, or circuit court judge) who reviewed the evidence and authorized the warrant.
Issuance Date: The date on which the warrant was officially issued and entered into the system.
Bond Information: For arrest warrants, information regarding bail amount if pre-set, or notation that bond must be set by a judge at the initial appearance.
Executing Agency: The law enforcement agency authorized to execute the warrant.

Search warrants contain additional specific requirements, including a detailed description of the place to be searched and items to be seized, as mandated by the Fourth Amendment and South Carolina Code § 17-13-140.

Who Issues Warrants In Horry County

The authority to issue warrants in Horry County is vested in specific judicial officers as prescribed by South Carolina law. The following officials possess the legal authority to issue various types of warrants:

Magistrate Judges: Horry County's magistrate judges have primary responsibility for issuing arrest and search warrants in cases involving state law violations. These judges review affidavits submitted by law enforcement officers to determine if probable cause exists to justify warrant issuance. Horry County operates multiple magistrate courts throughout the county, including:

Horry County Central Jury Magistrate Court
1301 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-5080

Municipal Court Judges: Judges presiding over municipal courts within Horry County (including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, and other municipalities) may issue warrants for violations of municipal ordinances and certain state laws occurring within their jurisdictional boundaries.
Circuit Court Judges: These judges of the 15th Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Horry County, have authority to issue all types of warrants and typically handle more complex cases or specialized warrants such as wiretap authorizations.
Family Court Judges: Authorized to issue bench warrants and other orders in matters related to family court proceedings, including child support enforcement and custody issues.
Federal Magistrate Judges: For federal offenses, warrants are issued by federal magistrate judges at the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, which has jurisdiction over Horry County.

Pursuant to South Carolina Code § 22-3-710, magistrates have jurisdiction throughout the county in which they are appointed, allowing them to issue warrants for offenses alleged to have occurred anywhere within Horry County.

How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Horry County

Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in Horry County may utilize several official channels to conduct their search. The following methods provide access to warrant information:

Sheriff's Office Warrant Division: The primary source for warrant information in Horry County is the Sheriff's Office Warrant Division, which maintains records of all active warrants issued within the county jurisdiction.

Horry County Sheriff's Office - Warrant Division
1301 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-8347
Horry County Sheriff's Office

Public Index Search: The South Carolina Judicial Department maintains a public index that allows searches of court records, which may include information about warrants that have been processed through the court system.

South Carolina Judicial Department
Public Index Search

SLED Wanted Persons Database: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains a searchable database of wanted persons that includes individuals with active warrants throughout the state, including Horry County.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Wanted Persons Database

Third-Party Background Check Services: Various commercial services offer background checks that may include warrant information, though these services may charge fees and their information may not be as current or accurate as official government sources.

When conducting a warrant search for another person, requestors should be prepared to provide the individual's full legal name and, if possible, date of birth to ensure accurate results. For searches regarding oneself, valid photo identification may be required when making in-person inquiries.

How To Check Federal Warrants In Horry County

Federal warrants operate under a separate jurisdiction from state and county warrants, requiring different search methods and resources. Individuals seeking information about federal warrants that may be active in Horry County should utilize the following federal resources:

United States Marshals Service: The primary federal agency responsible for executing federal arrest warrants maintains information about individuals wanted on federal charges.

United States Marshals Service - District of South Carolina
901 Richland Street, Suite 1200
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 765-5821
U.S. Marshals Service

Federal Bureau of Investigation: The FBI maintains a database of individuals wanted for federal crimes, including those with active federal warrants.

FBI Columbia Field Office
151 Westpark Boulevard
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 551-4200
FBI Most Wanted

Federal Court Records: The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system provides access to federal court documents, which may include information about federal warrants once they have been executed.

United States District Court - District of South Carolina
901 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 765-5816
PACER

Federal warrants are issued by federal magistrate judges based on probable cause that a federal law has been violated. These warrants are typically executed by federal law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, DEA, or other federal agencies with jurisdiction over the specific offense.

Unlike county warrants, federal warrants are valid nationwide and do not expire. Additionally, federal warrants are often not disclosed in public databases until after the individual has been apprehended, as premature disclosure could compromise ongoing investigations.

How Long Do Warrants Last In Horry County?

Warrants issued in Horry County remain legally valid for varying periods depending on their type and the nature of the underlying offense. The duration of warrant validity is governed by both South Carolina law and judicial practice:

Arrest Warrants: Under South Carolina law, specifically § 17-13-40, arrest warrants for criminal offenses do not expire and remain active until executed, recalled by the issuing court, or otherwise resolved through legal proceedings. This applies to both misdemeanor and felony offenses.
Bench Warrants: Similar to arrest warrants, bench warrants issued for failure to appear in court or violation of court orders remain active indefinitely until the subject appears before the court or the warrant is withdrawn by judicial order.
Search Warrants: Pursuant to South Carolina Code § 17-13-140, search warrants must be executed within ten (10) days after issuance. After this period, the search warrant expires and law enforcement must obtain a new warrant if they wish to conduct the search.
Fugitive Warrants: Warrants for individuals wanted in other jurisdictions typically remain active until the subject is apprehended or the requesting jurisdiction withdraws the warrant.

It is important to note that while warrants may remain legally valid indefinitely, practical considerations may affect their enforcement. For minor offenses, particularly older warrants, law enforcement agencies may prioritize more recent or serious cases. However, an active warrant, regardless of age, provides legal authority for arrest when the subject encounters law enforcement.

The statute of limitations for the underlying criminal offense does not affect the validity of an issued warrant. Once a warrant has been properly issued, it remains enforceable regardless of whether the statute of limitations for prosecuting the offense has expired.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Horry County?

The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Horry County varies based on several factors, including case urgency, judicial availability, and the complexity of the investigation. The process typically follows these general timelines:

Standard Search Warrants: Under normal circumstances, law enforcement officers in Horry County can obtain a search warrant within 24-48 hours after completing their affidavit of probable cause. This process involves:
1. Preparation of the affidavit detailing facts establishing probable cause
2. Review by prosecutorial staff when appropriate
3. Presentation to a magistrate or judge
4. Judicial review and issuance if probable cause is found
Emergency Situations: In cases involving imminent danger, risk of evidence destruction, or other exigent circumstances, expedited procedures allow for warrant issuance in as little as 1-2 hours. Horry County maintains an on-call magistrate system to handle after-hours emergency warrant requests.
Complex Investigations: For investigations involving extensive evidence review, multiple locations, or specialized circumstances (such as electronic data), the warrant preparation process may take several days to ensure legal sufficiency.

The South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure and South Carolina Code § 17-13-140 govern the procedural requirements for search warrant issuance. These legal frameworks balance the need for thorough judicial review with practical law enforcement considerations.

Once issued, search warrants in Horry County must be executed within ten days, as specified by state law. After execution, officers must promptly file a return with the issuing court detailing the items seized pursuant to the warrant.

Search Warrant Records in Horry County

Warrant information from Horry County Sheriff's Office

South Carolina wanted persons database

Horry County Clerk of Court records

South Carolina Department of Public Safety

South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index

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