Judicial Center

The Charleston County Judicial Center will be closed:

• Friday September 8, 2017
• Monday September 11, 2017
• Tuesday September 12, 2017

Additional closures will be communicated through local media.

Family Court Information:

Q: Can I make a support payment if the courthouse is closed?

A: Yes, you can pay by credit/debit card through the Clerk of Court website: clerkofcourt.charlestoncounty.org

Q: Can I make a payment to have someone released from jail if the courthouse is closed?

A: No, payments for release must be made in person at the courthouse.

Q: Will the support information line be available during a storm? Yes, the support information line will be available as long as there is power.

Q: If I was given a deadline to make a support payment or court cost payment from a hearing and the courthouse is closed on the deadline will a bench warrant be issued for my arrest?

A: A bench warrant will not be issued if the payment deadline is on a day the courthouse is closed but payment must be made at the courthouse as soon as the Judicial Center reopens.

Q: Can I file for an emergency hearing or an order of protection if the courthouse is closed?

A: If you are in danger, please call 911. Once normal Court operations resume, you will then be able to file your case.

Q: I currently have a hearing scheduled and the courthouse is closed, will the hearing automatically be rescheduled?

A: Yes, all hearings cancelled due to the courthouse closure will be rescheduled by the Clerk’s Office. Each judge will be filing an order of continuance.

Q: What if my payment is due while the courthouse is closed?

A: You can pay by credit/debit card through the Clerk of Court website: clerkofcourt.charlestoncounty.org. Otherwise you will have to wait until the Judicial Center reopens.

Q: How will I get my child/spousal if the courthouse is closed?

A: All payments received by our office through 9/7/17 have been posted and will be mailed or direct deposited. Payments made after that date will be posted when the Judicial Center reopens.

Q: What if someone is detained on a Family Court bench warrant and the courthouse is closed?

A: They will be heard by a judge when Court operations resume. Follow local media to find out when that will be.

General Sessions Information:

Q: I had a Status Conference scheduled for Friday, September, 2017.Will it be rescheduled?

A: The 90 Day Status Conference’s that were scheduled for Friday, September 8th will be heard on Friday September 15th at 2:00 PM.

Q: I had an Initial Appearance scheduled for Friday, September 8th. Will it be rescheduled?

A: Yes, Initial Appearance’s that were scheduled for Friday, September 8th will be conducted on September 15th.

Q: I had a plea scheduled for the week of September 11th. Will it be rescheduled?

A: Yes, the entire docket for the week of September 11th will be moved to the week of September 18th.

Q: I am up for trial the week of September 11th. When will my case be heard?

A: The trial docket for the week of September 11th will be moved to the week of September 18th.