Charleston Traffic Ticket Records
Charleston is South Carolina's largest city and one of its most historic, with a population of about 150,000 residents. Traffic citations issued within city limits are handled by the Charleston Municipal Court. Whether you received a speeding ticket on I-26, a stop sign violation downtown, or a citation on one of the peninsula's busy corridors, your case record is filed with the municipal court and can be looked up through public records channels. This guide covers how to find, pay, and understand Charleston traffic ticket records.
Charleston Quick Facts
Charleston Municipal Court
The Charleston Municipal Court handles all traffic violations issued by the Charleston Police Department within city limits. The court sits at 180 Lockwood Boulevard on the west side of the peninsula. Judges hear cases involving speeding, running red lights, failure to stop, reckless driving, driving under suspension, and other traffic-related offenses. The court also handles the Court Plus Program, which gives eligible defendants an alternative sentencing option for certain traffic offenses that may allow them to avoid a conviction on their record.
| Municipal Court | 180 Lockwood Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29403 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 843-724-7311 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| County | Charleston County |
| Website | charleston-sc.gov |
When you appear in person, bring a valid photo ID and your citation number. Parking is available near the court facility. If your ticket requires a court appearance, you must appear on your scheduled date or a bench warrant may be issued against you.
How to Look Up Charleston Traffic Ticket Records
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides an online traffic ticket search tool that covers cases statewide, including Charleston. You can access it at sccourts.org/apps/traffic-ticket-search/. To use the search, you will need your citation number or other identifying information from your ticket. The tool shows case status, hearing dates, and fine amounts.
The SC Courts Public Index at sccourts.org/caseSearch/ is another option for broader case lookups in Charleston Municipal Court. You can search by name or case number to find traffic records. This system covers both active and closed cases and lets you see the outcome of past citations.
The City of Charleston's official website at charleston-sc.gov also links to traffic ticket resources and payment options. You can navigate to the Court and Traffic Tickets section from the city homepage. That page explains the current options for contesting or paying your citation in Charleston.
Note: If you cannot find your citation in the online system within a few days of receiving it, contact the court at 843-724-7311 to confirm it has been entered into the system.
Online Ticket Payment for Charleston
Charleston participates in South Carolina's statewide online court payment system. You can pay eligible traffic fines at sc.gov under the traffic tickets and court payments section. Payment by credit or debit card is accepted for most minor traffic violations. Not all offenses are eligible for online payment, particularly those that require a mandatory court appearance.
You can also pay in person at the Municipal Court at 180 Lockwood Boulevard during regular business hours. The court accepts cash, check, and credit cards at the counter. If you are paying on behalf of someone else, you will need the citation number and the full name of the person cited. Paying your fine is an admission of the violation, so if you intend to contest your ticket, do not pay before your hearing date.
The Court Plus Program is available for certain eligible traffic offenses. This alternative sentencing option may allow you to complete a course or community service instead of receiving a conviction. Ask the court about eligibility when you appear for your hearing or call 843-724-7311 in advance.
Traffic Laws in Charleston
South Carolina traffic law applies throughout Charleston. The primary statutes are found in Title 56 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Officers in Charleston enforce these statewide rules along with any applicable local ordinances.
Speed limits in Charleston follow the schedule set under S.C. Code Ann. §56-5-1520. Residential streets typically carry a 30 mph limit, while main arterials and highways vary between 40 and 55 mph. Fines under that statute range from $15 to $200 depending on how far over the limit you were traveling. Speeding violations also add points to your driving record with the SCDMV.
Reckless driving under §56-5-2920 is a more serious charge and carries six points on your driving record in addition to fines. Failure to stop for a blue light under §56-5-750 brings some of the steepest penalties, with a first offense carrying a fine of $500 to $1,000 and a license suspension of 90 days to three years. Driving under suspension under §56-1-460 carries a minimum fine of $300 or 30 days in jail for a first offense.
Texting while driving is a primary offense in South Carolina under §56-5-3890. Officers can stop you solely for texting. The fine is $25 and no points are added to your license for a first citation, but repeated violations can escalate. DUI under §56-5-2930 carries significant penalties: a first offense brings a fine of at least $400 plus 48 hours in jail or community service, while a second offense means at least $2,100 and 30 days in jail.
Note: Accumulating 12 or more points on your South Carolina driving record will result in a license suspension by the SCDMV.
Public Records Access in Charleston
Traffic ticket records in Charleston are public records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, found at S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-10. The state FOIA requires government agencies to respond to records requests within 10 business days for records less than 24 months old and within 20 business days for older records.
The City of Charleston operates a dedicated FOIA portal at charleston-sc.gov/801/Freedom-of-Information-Act-Request-FOIA. You can submit requests online through that portal. Charleston's published fee schedule for FOIA requests includes hourly staff rates that vary by role, from $19.24 per hour for administrative staff up to $66.07 per hour for directors, with police review time billed at $20.73 per hour. Copies cost $0.10 per page for black and white and $0.20 per page for color. Electronic records may be provided on a CD for $5.00 or a flash drive for $12.00.
When requesting traffic ticket records through FOIA in Charleston, include the full name of the person cited, the approximate date of the citation, and the citation number if you have it. This helps the agency locate the records quickly and reduces the time spent on staff research, which is billed to you.
SCDMV Driving Records and the Points System
Every traffic conviction in Charleston that carries points is reported to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. The SCDMV maintains your official driving record and tracks all point accumulations. You can order a copy of your driving record at dmv.sc.gov. A full driving record costs $10.00 and shows all convictions and point totals.
If you need to request your record by mail, use the MV-70 form available from the SCDMV. Mail the completed form along with payment to the SCDMV address listed on the form. Processing times for mail requests are longer than online orders, so plan accordingly if you need the record for court or insurance purposes.
The point system works on a scale where different violations add between 2 and 6 points per offense. Reaching 12 or more points triggers a suspension. Insurance companies in Charleston and throughout South Carolina also use your driving record when setting your premium rates, so keeping your point total low matters beyond just avoiding suspension.
Charleston County Records
Charleston is located in Charleston County. All county-level traffic records, including cases heard in the Charleston County Magistrate Court and General Sessions Court, go through the Charleston County court system. For county-level records and resources beyond the municipal court, visit the county page below.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Traffic ticket records in nearby cities are handled by their own municipal courts and county systems.