Magistrate Courts

Magistrates have criminal trial jurisdiction over all offenses which are subject to the penalty of a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both. In some specific cases punishment can be more. Magistrates issue warrants, set bonds and hear criminal and traffic cases, as well as preliminary hearings. Unlike circuit courts and probate courts, magistrates courts are not courts of record. Proceedings in magistrates’ courts are summary. Traffic tickets may be paid with money orders or certified checks made payable to the court. Traffic tickets may also be paid online.

Magistrates also have civil jurisdiction when the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,500 and may include such matters as summons and complaint, landlord/tenant actions, trespass, sales of abandoned property and claim and delivery. Magistrate’s may also issue restraining orders on non-family members.

Summary Court Administration

State law requires each Magistrates Court to maintain a docket for criminal, traffic and civil cases, and to report all fees collected and fines imposed. The department of Summary Court Administration was established in 1977 to provide the administrative support that is required to effectively execute these and many other duties for all Magistrate Courts in McCormick County.

Pay Online at:

http://publicindex.sccourts.org/mccormick/onlinepayments

Department Forms

• Magistrate Court Guide

Links:

• Online Payments
• SC Judicial Department