Clerk of Court's Office
Frequently Asked Questions

The Clerk of Court's Office does:

Process legal actions of a civil nature in which the demand of value of property involved exceeds $7500

Maintains records of cases heard in the Court of Common Pleas, which involve civil disputes between two or more parties

Maintains records of criminal cases heard in the Court of General Sessions

Maintains records of Family Court, including juvenile, domestic relations, child support, interstate custody, abuse and neglect, domestic abuse, and adoptions

Schedules Civil Jury and Non-Jury trials

Keeps records of Judgments for the Court of Common Pleas

Prepare and schedules court ordered monies for Family Court and Circuit Court

Maintains records of bond issues

Provides copies of divorce decrees and maintain the records of divorce proceedings

The Clerk of Court's Office does not:

Give legal advice (Contact an attorney)

Receive money for traffic tickets (Contact the Central Traffic Court)

Record land transactions (Contact the Recorder of Deeds Office)

File notary public information (Contact the Recorder of Deeds Office)

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How is a jury selected?
  1. Each year, the State Election Commission provides each county with a list of potential jurors.  These names are collected form voter registration, drivers license and state identification card information.  Jurors are then selected through random computer selection.  One hundred and seventy five (175) jurors are drawn for each one week term.
  1. Do I have to serve on jury duty?
  1. You must serve on jury duty unless:
    • You are over 65  years of age.
    • You have provided a doctors excuse stating that you have an illness that will not allow you to serve.
    • You have provided this office with verification that you are teacher or full-time student (You may then be transferred to a summer term).

You will be given a chance to speak to the Judge to discuss any other reasons you feel would keep you from serving.
  1. How do I get a copy of my court records?
  1. You may come in to the office and copy anything that is in your file.  The fee is 50 cents per page.  Keep in mind that unlike Circuit court, where most records are available for public inspection, many family court records are considered confidential and may only be inspected with special pemission.  Juvenile cases, adoptions, temination of parental rights, abuse and neglect and any other sealed records are confidential.
  1. May I pay my child support with a credit card or personal check?
  1. Credit cards are not accepted, personal checks are accepted unless you have had a check returned in the past. Once you've had a check returned, checks will no longer be accepted.
  1. My child just turned eighteen (18) years old, do I still have to pay child support?
  1. You must pay child support until your case has been terminated by a Judge. You must petition the Court through your attorney or if you do not have an attorney, you may fill out an emancipation form, available in this office or on our website.
  1. I was served with a rule to show cause, but I have paid my child support current.  Do I still have to come to court?
  1. Yes. If you do not, a bench warrant could be issued for your arrest.
  1. Has my child support been paid?
  1. You can call our automatic answering system at (803) 268-1010.  After entering your case number, you can find out when the last payment was made, whether there is a bench warrant or a rule date.
  1. How do I get someone out of jail on a Family Court case?
  1. They must first have a hearing to find out the Judge's ruling.  In some cases the Judge has already given a cash bond amount when the bench warrant was issued.  This bond must be paid in cash only at the Clerk of Court's office and then a discharge will be given.
  1. How do I get someone out of jail on criminal charges?
  1. You must go to whichever office set the bond.  If a magistrate set the bond, then you must go to that Magistrate.  If a Circuit Court Judge set the bond, then you need to go to the Clerk of Court's Office to post the bond.  If the Judge ordered a surety bond, an immediate family member may put up their property.   It must be free and clear of any liens or mortgages in the amount needed.   You must have an Attorney do a title Search for you on the property. Forms are available for the Attorney in our office if needed.  If the Judge gave a 10% option, then you may post cash money.