The Circuit Court is the state's court of general jurisdiction. It has a civil court, the Court of Common Pleas, and a criminal court, the Court of General Sessions. In addition to its general trial jurisdiction, the Circuit Court has limited appellate jurisdiction over appeals from the Probate Court, Magistrate's Court, and Municipal Court, as well as appeals from the Administrative Law Judge Division, which hears matters relating to state administrative and regulatory agencies. The State is divided into sixteen judicial circuits. Each circuit has at least one resident circuit judge who maintains an office in the judge's home county within the circuit. There are forty-six circuit judges who serve the sixteen circuits on a rotating basis, with court terms and assignments determined by the Chief Justice based upon recommendations of Court Administration. Circuit court judges are elected by the General Assembly to staggered terms of six-years.

Civil Court Filing Fees:
Summons and Complaint $150.00 (no additional charge for Motion if filed with Summons & Complaint)

Motion $ 25.00 (if filed individually)

Common Pleas (Civil) rosters are posted online 30 days before the term of Court.

Attorneys must E-File cases with the exception of PCR's and Mechanics Leins
Pro Se Litigants file hard copy- must pay cash or check only

Magistrate Judgements $35.00

Lis Pendens $10.00
Cancellation of Lis Pendens $1.00

Mechanic's Lein (Filed in Common Pleas and must be filed hard copy and not E-Filed) $25.00
Cancellation of Mechanic's Lein (Filed in Common Pleas and must be hard copy and not E-Filed) $10.00

To view the Court Roster online go to scCourts.org (click on Trial Courts, then click on Court Rosters, choose Greenwood on the Map and select “Motion” for the Non-Jury Motion Roster.

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Court Reporters and Transcripts
Both the Circuit Court and the Family Court are courts of record in which a court reporter records all proceedings in the courtroom. Court reporters are state employees who are assigned to record the proceedings of an assigned judge. If you anticipate the need for a transcript of any court proceedings, you should obtain the business card of the court reporter assigned to your hearing or trial. Requests for court transcripts must be made in writing directly to the assigned court reporter. The court reporter will contact you with an estimated charge for the transcript.

Court reporters’ names and contact information may also be obtained from your attorney or by calling South Carolina Court Administration at (803) 734-1800. When making a request you must specify the respective case’s name and the date of the hearing or trial.