{"id":376184,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/south-carolina-law\/charleston-courthouses.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:48:36","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:48:36","slug":"charleston-courthouses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/south-carolina-law\/charleston-courthouses.html","title":{"rendered":"Charleston Courthouses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Charleston Courthouses<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Do you have court business in Charleston? South Carolina\u2019s judicial system is complicated, with many courts performing many different functions. The Magistrate Courts<\/a> are the lowest level courts in the city. Magistrate Courts handle traffic violations and criminal cases with punishments of a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or both. Magistrate Courts also handle landlord-tenant problems, restraining orders, and civil claims not exceeding $7,500. The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court<\/a> of Charleston handles civil cases claiming $7,500 or more as well as criminal felony and misdemeanor cases not heard by the Magistrate Courts. The Circuit Court also has a separate Family Court<\/a> that handles family law issues and juvenile delinquency. To simplify your courthouse search, below is a list of courthouses in Charleston and North Charleston, including links to official sites with more information.<\/p>\n

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Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Locations<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions Court\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    100 Broad Street<\/p>\n \n

    Suite 106<\/p>\n

    \n Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29401<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 958-5000\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Note<\/b>: The Broad Street courthouse hears cases for the 9th<\/sup> Judicial Circuit Court, including all civil litigation for claims over $7,500. For claims under $7,500, see the magistrate courts section. The Court of General Sessions is Charleston\u2019s criminal court for serious criminal cases. For some misdemeanor criminal courts, see the magistrate courts section.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Family Court\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    100 Broad Street<\/p>\n \n

    Suite 143<\/p>\n

    \n Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29401<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 958-4400\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Note<\/b>: The Family Court hears all matters involving domestic or family relationships, including divorce, custody issues, spousal and child support, adoption and change of name. The Family Court also may hear some cases involving violations of the law by minors under 17.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Magistrate and Small Claims Courts<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Magistrate\/Summary Court Administration\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    4045 Bridge View Drive<\/p>\n \n

    Suite B143<\/p>\n

    \n North Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29405<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 202-6600 \n \n \n <\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Small Claims Court, City of Charleston\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    995 Morrison Drive<\/p>\n \n

    \n Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29403<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 724-6720\n \n \n <\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n West Ashley Area Magistrate Court\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1720 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard<\/p>\n \n

    Unit 11<\/p>\n

    \n Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29407<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 766-6531\n \n \n <\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n City of Charleston Magistrate Court\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    995 Morrison Drive<\/p>\n \n

    \n Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29403<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 724-6719\n \n \n <\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n James Island Magistrate Court\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    615 Riverland Drive<\/p>\n \n

    \n Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29412<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 795-1140\n \n \n <\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Centralized Bond Hearing and Preliminary Hearing Court\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    3870 Leeds Avenue<\/p>\n \n

    \n North Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29405<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    (843) 746-9822 (Bond Hearing)<\/p>\n

    (843) 745-2390 (Preliminary Hearing)<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n North Area Magistrate Court 1 (Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Service Building)\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    4045 Bridge View Drive<\/p>\n \n

    1st Floor, Suite B125<\/p>\n

    \n North Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29405<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 202-6610\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Note<\/b>: The Small Claims Court, North Area, is also located in this building in Suite B146.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n North Area Magistrate Court 2\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    2145 Melbourne Avenue<\/p>\n \n

    Suite 100<\/p>\n

    \n North Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29405<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 745-2215\n \n \n <\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n North Area Magistrate Court 3\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    7272 Cross County Road<\/p>\n \n

    \n North Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29418<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 767-2743\n \n \n <\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Federal Courts in Charleston<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Charleston Federal Courthouse\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    85 Broad Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Charleston,<\/span>\n SC<\/span>\n 29401<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (843) 579-1401\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Note<\/b>: The Charleston Federal Courthouse hears cases for the U.S. District of South Carolina, including cases arising under federal law. For information about bankruptcy filing and hearings in South Carolina, visit the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of South Carolina<\/a> website.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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