Traffic Ticket Records in Hampton County
Hampton County is a rural county in the South Carolina Lowcountry, located within the 14th Judicial Circuit. The county seat is Hampton, and all traffic citations issued by the Hampton County Sheriff's Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are processed through the county magistrate court system. Hampton County traffic ticket records are publicly available online through the South Carolina Courts Public Index. This guide explains how to search those records, pay fines, and access official court information.
Hampton County Quick Facts
Hampton County Traffic Ticket Records Online
The SC Courts Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org/hampton is the primary online source for Hampton County traffic ticket records. Searches can be conducted by party name, case number, or filing date. The Public Index covers Summary Court and circuit court records filed in Hampton County, making it the most comprehensive free resource available for locating a specific traffic violation record in the county.
The SC Courts traffic ticket search is a faster option when you have the citation number or driver's license number from the ticket. The tool displays case status, unpaid fines, and upcoming hearing dates. It is especially useful for recent citations where you need quick confirmation that the record is in the system.
The statewide case search at sccourts.org/caseSearch covers all 46 counties. Hampton County operates within the 14th Judicial Circuit alongside Colleton, Beaufort, and Jasper counties. Using the county-specific Public Index link narrows your results to Hampton County cases only.
Hampton County Clerk of Court
The Hampton County Clerk of Court is located at 1 Courthouse Square in Hampton, South Carolina. The clerk's office is responsible for maintaining all court records filed within the county, including traffic violation cases processed through the magistrate and circuit court systems. Staff can help with in-person record lookups, certified copy requests, and questions about case status or pending hearings.
| Address | 1 Courthouse Square, Hampton, SC 29924 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (803) 914-2190 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Circuit | 14th Judicial Circuit |
The Hampton County circuit court handles appeals from magistrate court decisions and felony traffic charges such as DUI third offense and vehicular homicide. Most routine Hampton County traffic violations are resolved at the magistrate level. Circuit court referrals are typically reserved for cases involving contested charges or criminal-level offenses.
Note: The Hampton County government website may experience availability issues. For courthouse and court contact information, use the SC Courts website at sccourts.org/courts/courthouse-search/hampton.
SC Courts Information for Hampton County
The SC Courts courthouse search page for Hampton County is the most reliable source for current contact information, addresses, and judicial circuit assignments for all Hampton County courts. This resource is maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Branch and is updated when court information changes.
The SC Courts page for Hampton County provides confirmed courthouse addresses, phone numbers, and judicial assignments for the county's court facilities, all maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
The SC Judicial Branch website also provides access to court forms, e-filing resources, and links to all county Public Index systems. Hampton County residents can access these statewide tools at no cost, regardless of whether the county's own website is available.
Paying a Hampton County Traffic Ticket
Hampton County participates in South Carolina's statewide online payment system at SC.GOV. Select Hampton County from the county list, enter your citation number, and complete payment by credit or debit card. The portal provides immediate payment confirmation and resolves eligible citations without requiring a court visit.
Some traffic charges require a mandatory court appearance and cannot be paid online. Driving under the influence, reckless driving, and failure to stop for law enforcement all typically require appearing before a magistrate. Contact the Hampton County Clerk of Court at (803) 914-2190 before paying any fine online to confirm that your citation does not have a mandatory court date attached to it.
In-person payments are accepted at the Hampton County Courthouse during regular business hours. Mail-in payments should be made payable to the Hampton County Clerk of Court and include the citation number in the memo. Avoid sending cash through the mail.
Traffic Laws and Penalties in Hampton County
Traffic violations in Hampton County are prosecuted under Title 56 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways applies statewide, ensuring that the same laws and penalties govern Hampton County roads as every other county in South Carolina.
Speed limits under §56-5-1520 range from 70 mph on interstate highways to 30 mph in residential and business districts. Rural highways in Hampton County typically carry 55 mph limits. Fines for speeding violations begin at $15 and increase to $200 for speeds 25 mph or more above the posted limit. Officers must document the exact measured speed on the citation.
Reckless driving under §56-5-2920 adds six points to the driver's record and is a criminal misdemeanor. DUI under §56-5-2930 carries a minimum $400 fine and 48 hours incarceration for a first offense. Texting while driving under §56-5-3890 is a primary offense carrying a $25 fine. Failure to stop for a law enforcement officer under §56-5-750 is a criminal offense with a $500 to $1,000 fine and potential imprisonment for a first offense. Driving while suspended under §56-1-460 carries a $300 fine or 30 days in jail.
SCDMV Driving Records and Point Accumulation
Traffic convictions in Hampton County are reported to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, which assigns points based on violation type. Accumulating 12 or more points triggers an automatic license suspension. Hampton County drivers can check their current point total for free through the online point summary at scdmvonline.com.
Full three-year or ten-year driving records cost $10 and can be ordered online through the SCDMV. For mail requests, use SCDMV Form MV-70 and include a $10 payment made out to SCDMV. Do not send cash through the mail. Allow one to two weeks for delivery. The full record shows all convictions, points, and any prior license actions.
Public Records in Hampton County
Hampton County court records, including traffic ticket files, are public records under S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-10. Written FOIA requests submitted to the Clerk of Court must be answered within 10 business days for records under 24 months old and within 20 business days for older records. Fees for copying and staff research time may apply.
As of January 1, 2026, home addresses have been removed from the Public Index statewide, including Hampton County. Court records accessible online still include case numbers, charge descriptions, court dates, and final dispositions. Certified copies of official documents are available through the clerk's office for an additional fee.
Browse Nearby Counties
Hampton County is surrounded by counties in the South Carolina Lowcountry within the 14th Judicial Circuit.