KEVIN CARPER MEMORIAL I-85 S EXIT 68

Crime Stoppers at 58CRIME (582-7463) or 1-800-44CRIME (1-800-442-7463)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click on one of the following subjects:

Animal Control Background Checks  
Bonds Environmental Enforcement Noise Ordinance

Child Visitation

 Eviction Protection Order
Custody Finger Printing Restraining Order
Dept. of Natural Resources Hunting Laws Trespass Notice
Detention Order Litter Control Victim Advocates
Drugs Magistrate's Office Violation of Restraining Order
For more information call (864) 503-4500 or view the Spartanburg County Directory for phone numbers.
1. What is the process for filing a restraining order/order of protection?

Restraining orders are sought through the Civil Magistrate's Court, which is located at the main Courthouse (180 Magnolia St. Spartanburg 864-596-2564).

You MUST have a pattern of 2 separate incident reports on file, documenting harassment or stalking (copies can be obtained from the Records Department in the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office- 8045 Howard St. Spartanburg 503-4553).

There is an $80.00 filing fee for the non-prevailing party which is due at the time of the hearing (non-prevailing party is the person the Judge rules against). The hearing date is normally scheduled for 2 weeks after the date of filing.

Victim Advocates from the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office can assist you with initiating the paperwork and gathering the reports.

 
Protection Orders are sought through Safe Homes. Their office is located on the 3rd floor of the main Courthouse. You are not required to file a report however if you have a recent report then take it with you. No filing fee. An address of the respondent is needed (a respondent is the person you are filing an order against). The hearing date is normally held within 15 days of the filing date or sooner on an emergency basis. (TOP)
2. How do you file a Trespass notice?

Send the person(s) a letter, certified, through the Post Office (an address of the person will be needed). Request a Return Receipt and request Restricted Delivery if needed. If you are sending the notice to more than one person at the same address, then separate letters should be sent.

Be sure to make yourself a copy of the notice for your records and save the receipt from the Post Office. If the person(s) violates the notice then they can be charged with "Trespassing After Notice."

The Trespass notice can be picked up from the Sheriff's Office or downloaded and printed here
  (TOP)
3. How can I get a Detention Order?
Detention Orders (MENTAL) - Complainants need to be referred to the Mental Health, which is located at 250 Dewey Ave., Spartanburg, 585-0366.
 
Detention Orders (Drug & Alcohol Abuse) - Complainants need to be referred to DETOX/SADAC, which is located at 151 N. Spring St. Spartanburg, 596-2300.
 
During after-hours, weekends, and holidays, complainants need to call either Mental Health or DETOX for screening, and then they will be referred to a Probate Judge, if needed. (TOP)
4. Who has custody of a child when a couple is not married?

In this state of South Carolina, rights of the child are solely given to the mother unless there is child custody paper work through Family Court, or if a mother has relinquished her rights.

A father has no rights and will have to take the mother to court to establish child custody. Family Court is located at 180 Magnolia St., 2nd floor of the main Courthouse. (864) 596-2588 (TOP)
5. What is the general time frame for the Noise Ordinance?
In general, the noise ordinance apply's from 9:00PM through 7:00AM. An Officer needs to be dispatched so that they can asses the situation and give the person(s) a verbal warning, if needed. Once a warning has been given and the Officer is requested to respond back out to the same location (within the same time period), then it could result in a citation being written, as the Officers' discretion. (TOP)
6. How could I get a Criminal Background Check?
A "criminal background check" can be obtained by contacting SLED in 1 of 3 methods:
1. You could go in person, to SLED at their Columbia Office, which is located at 440 Broad River Rd., Columbia, SC. Payment has to be in the form of a money order, or a business check, or charge can be placed on a Master card or Visa (NO CASH or PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED).
3. You may request this information by mailing your request to: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Post Office Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221 - (SLED phone number: (803) 869-7092 or (803) 896-7005.
The cost in all of these instances is $25.00 per background check for employment and $8.00 per background check for the purpose of housing.
****All requests for Criminal Background Checks from SLED MUST contain the person's full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number **** (TOP)
7. Who do I contact concerning an Eviction?
Evictions are handled in Civil Magistrate's Court. They are located at the main Courthouse, 180 Magnolia St., Spartanburg, (864) 596-2186 (TOP)
8. How can I get fingerprinted?
Fingerprinting is processed here at the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, 8045 Howard St., Spartanburg, Monday through Friday, from 7:00AM-11:30AM. The fee is $5.00 per person (CASH ONLY). Be sure that your fingerprint card is completed using BLACK INK only. Fingerprint cards are available at the Sheriff's Office if needed. No appointments are necessary. (TOP)
9. How can I obtain a Concealed Weapon's Permit?
Concealed Weapon's permits are handled through SLED. Call SLED at (803) 896-7014, so that they can mail to you an application and a fingerprint card. Click here for the SLED web site and more information. (TOP)
10. What happens if a person violates a Family Court Restraining Order, that was issued in their Divorce Decree?
If someone violates the restraining order, then you will need to file Contempt Charges in Family Court (it is not going to be a Criminal Matter - Only Family Court). Contact your attorney for assistance. (TOP)
11. What happens if a person violates child visitation?
If someone does not comply with a person's scheduled child visitation, then you will need to file contempt charges in Family Court (it is not going to be a Criminal Matter. Contact your attorney for assistance. Family Court is located on the 2nd floor of the main Courthouse - you do need an attorney to file the required paper work. (TOP)
12. What happens if someone violates a condition of their bond?
If someone violates a condition of their bond, a new report must be filed with the Sheriff's Office, the Judge that set their bond needs to be informed, and the Solicitor's Office needs to be informed of a possible violation. Contact the Sheriff's Office at (864) 503-4500; contact the County Magistrate's Office (864) 596-2564, Monday through Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM; and contact the Solicitor's Office at (864) 596-2575. (TOP)
13. Who do you contact for complaints regarding animals?
Animal Control is handled under the direction of Environmental Enforcement, (864) 596-3582 (TOP)
14. Who do you contact for complaints regarding litter?

Litter Control is also under the direction of Environmental Enforcement (864) 596-3582

You may also contact (864) 562-4069 to REPORT A LITTER CRITTER (TOP)
15. Who do you contact regarding Hunting Laws?
DNR (Department of Natural Resources) at (800) 922-5431 (TOP)
16. Who do you call regarding a complaint about drugs?
The drug complaint line, at the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, is (864) 503-4543 (TOP)