There are approximately 300 magistrates in South Carolina, each serving the county for which he or she is appointed. They are appointed by the Governor upon the advice and consent of the Senate for four year terms and until their successor is appointed and qualified.

Magistrates have criminal trial jurisdiction over all offenses which are subject to the penalty of a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both. Magistrates may also hear cases transferred from general sessions, the penalty for which does not exceed one year imprisonment or a fine for $5,000, or both, upon petition by the solicitor and agreement by the defendant.

Generally, magistrates have civil jurisdiction when the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,500. Magistrates hear civil cases concerning money owed to others, defaulted credit payments, landlord-tenant disputes, property wrongfully withheld from the rightful owner, magistrate sales, and restraining orders.

In addition, magistrates are responsible for setting bail, conducting preliminary hearings, and issuing arrest and search warrants. Unlike circuit courts and probate courts, magistrate courts are not courts of record. Proceedings in magistrate’s court are summary.

Orangeburg County has three region offices. The offices are the Central Region Office located in Orangeburg, the Eastern Region Office located in Holly Hill, and the Western Region Office located in Neeses. Court is held in each of these offices. There is a Central Traffic Court, Central Bond Court, Central Criminal Domestic Violence Court, and Central Preliminary Hearing Court located at the Central Region Office. Traffic court hears all traffic cases for South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina Transport Police, and county officers. Instructions for the date, time, and location for you to appear for court are on your ticket. All cases for the above officers are heard in the Central office.

Citizens may pay traffic tickets with cash, money orders, certified checks or on-line with credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. If mailing fines send money order or certified checks, do not mail cash.

Bond Court is held daily at 9:00am and 2:30pm at 1520 Ellis AVE.

Bond Court sets the amount of bond when someone is arrested. Bonds may be paid or posted at the Central office Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM.

A Free Guide to Magistrate’s Court (presented in Adobe PDF format - if you do not have Adobe Reader, click the "Get Adobe Reader" link below to obtain a copy) has been prepared by the SC Bar’s Young lawyer’s Division. It offers answers to frequently asked questions.