If you have a court date in Columbia, South Carolina, you are almost certainly headed to one of two buildings. State cases — criminal, civil, family, and probate — go to the Richland County Judicial Center at 1701 Main Street. Federal cases go to the Matthew J. Perry, Jr. United States Courthouse at 901 Richland Street, about six blocks away. Each Columbia SC courthouse has its own parking, security rules, and case-lookup system, and showing up at the wrong one, or without the right information, can cost you the whole day.
Richland County Judicial Center
The Richland County Judicial Center sits at 1701 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201.1South Carolina Judicial Branch. Richland County Courthouse One building holds Circuit Court, Family Court, and Probate Court, along with the Clerk of Court’s office and the Public Defender’s office. Doors are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.2Richland County. Clerk of Court
Numbers worth saving before you go:
- Clerk of Court, (803) 576-1950, for civil, criminal, and family case filings1South Carolina Judicial Branch. Richland County Courthouse
- Probate Court, (803) 576-1961, for estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses3Richland County. Probate Court
- Public Defender, (803) 765-2592, in Suite 103 off the main lobby4Richland County. Public Defender
Matthew J. Perry, Jr. United States Courthouse
Federal matters in the Columbia area are handled at the Matthew J. Perry, Jr. United States Courthouse at 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201. This is the headquarters of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina and handles federal criminal prosecutions, civil rights cases, bankruptcy appeals, and lawsuits under federal law. The main court number is (803) 765-5816.5United States District Court District of South Carolina. Court Location Columbia, SC The U.S. Marshals Service office inside the building answers at (803) 765-5821.6U.S. Marshals Service. District of South Carolina – Courthouse Locations
The federal courthouse points visitors to the public parking garage at 1110 Richland Street, at the corner of Assembly and Richland, about two blocks east. Visitor parking begins on Level 4. Bring at least $20 in cash per day, because the garage may not take cards.5United States District Court District of South Carolina. Court Location Columbia, SC
Magistrate Court Is Somewhere Else Entirely
Not every state case runs through 1701 Main. Richland County’s Magistrate Courts, which handle traffic citations, small claims up to $7,500, and lower-level criminal offenses, operate out of several offices scattered around the county. Your summons or ticket names the specific location. Read it closely. The main offices are:7Richland County. Magistrates
- Central Court, 2500 Decker Blvd., Columbia, SC 29206
- Columbia, 3875 Lucius Rd., Columbia, SC 29201
- Dutch Fork, 1019 Beatty Rd., Columbia, SC 29210
- Lykesland, 1403 Caroline Rd., Columbia, SC 29209
- Olympia, 1601 Shop Rd., Suite B, Columbia, SC 29201
- Upper Township, 7615 A Wilson Blvd., Columbia, SC 29203
- Waverly, 2712 Middleburg Dr., Suite 106, Columbia, SC 29204
- Bond Court, 201 John Mark Dial Drive, Columbia, SC 29209
Which Court Handles Your Case
Circuit Court
Circuit Court is the general trial court and has two divisions. The Court of Common Pleas hears larger civil cases, including contract disputes and personal injury claims. The Court of General Sessions hears felonies and serious misdemeanors. A case with potential jail time above 30 days, or a civil claim above $7,500, almost always belongs here.
Family Court
Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and juvenile delinquency. Most filings run a $150 fee. No filing fee is charged for abuse and neglect cases, protection from domestic abuse orders, juvenile delinquency proceedings, or cases where a judge has granted permission to proceed without payment.8South Carolina Judicial Branch. Family Court Filing Fees
Probate Court
Probate Court handles estate administration, appointment of guardians and conservators, and marriage licenses. Estate filing fees run on a sliding scale starting at $25 for estates under $5,000.
Magistrate Court
Magistrate Court, sometimes called Summary Court, carries the heaviest volume. On the criminal side, magistrates handle offenses with a maximum fine of $500 or up to 30 days in jail.9South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 22 Chapter 3 Section 22-3-550 – Minor Offenses; Jurisdiction; Restitution; Contempt; Maximum Consecutive Sentences On the civil side, they hear disputes up to $7,500, including contract claims, property damage, landlord-tenant conflicts, and small claims.10South Carolina Judicial Branch. About the SC Magistrate Court
Parking Near the State Courthouse
The Richland County Judicial Center has no garage of its own. Several public garages and metered street spaces sit within walking distance downtown. Street meters run $1.50 per hour and are free after 7:00 p.m. and on Sundays.11Experience Columbia SC. Columbia SC Parking Nearby public garages typically charge $3 to $4 for a two-hour stay. If your matter could stretch across the day, a garage with a flat daily rate is the safer bet. On a first visit, add 15 minutes to find a space and walk in.
Security Screening
Both courthouses screen everyone at the door. Expect a magnetometer and X-ray for bags, like airport security. The Richland County Judicial Center prohibits weapons, chemical sprays including mace and pepper spray, and sharp objects. Staff will not hold prohibited items for you, so anything questionable stays in the car.
The federal courthouse runs its own protocols. Wireless communication devices may be banned from federal courtrooms outright, so check your hearing notice or call ahead. Both buildings are ADA-compliant with accessible entrances, restrooms, and parking spaces.
Look Up Your Case Before You Leave
South Carolina state court records are searchable through the Judicial Branch’s online case records portal at sccourts.org.12South Carolina Judicial Branch. The South Carolina Judicial Branch You can search by case number or party name to confirm hearing dates and courtroom assignments. Traffic tickets go through the same system’s traffic ticket search, but allow three to five business days after a ticket is issued before it shows up.
Federal cases are on PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), available around the clock with a free account. PACER charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document, and if you spend $30 or less in a quarter all fees are waived.13PACER: Federal Court Records. PACER Pricing: How Fees Work A specific court’s system updates immediately; the nationwide PACER Case Locator updates daily. The PACER Service Center takes calls at (800) 676-6856, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT.14PACER: Federal Court Records. Find a Case
What to Wear and How to Act
Dress conservatively. Collared shirts, slacks, and closed-toe shoes are safe. Skip jeans, shorts, hats, tank tops, and anything beach-adjacent. Inside the courtroom, stay silent unless you are spoken to. No talking in the gallery, no visible reactions to testimony, no phones. Lateness is treated as a problem on its own. Arriving after your case is called can produce a bench warrant in a criminal matter or a default judgment in a civil one.
Requesting Accommodations
If you need a sign language interpreter, extra wheelchair access, or other auxiliary services, call the Clerk of Court at (803) 576-1950 at least two business days before your hearing. The earlier the call, the better the chance of getting what you need without a delay.
Remote Hearings
Both the state and federal systems in Columbia hold some hearings remotely. If yours is one of them, the notice should carry a link, phone number, or password. Zoom is the usual platform. A web browser works for most people, so you may not need to install anything. Charge your device, use a stable connection, and pick a quiet spot.
For in-person federal proceedings using electronic evidence, attorneys must arrange equipment testing with the courtroom deputy at least two days before the hearing or trial, and video conferences need to be scheduled at least two weeks ahead.15United States District Court District of South Carolina. Electronic Courtrooms Table of Contents The court supplies display monitors and audio conference lines; parties bring their own laptop adapters and any specialized software.
If You Cannot Afford an Attorney
For state criminal charges in Richland County, the Public Defender’s office is inside the Judicial Center itself, 1701 Main Street, Suite 103, at (803) 765-2592.4Richland County. Public Defender Eligibility is based on financial need, and you will usually complete a financial affidavit for the court to review before counsel is appointed.
For federal charges, the Criminal Justice Act provides representation to anyone who cannot afford a lawyer. The court may assign a Federal Public Defender or a private attorney from the CJA panel. Raise it at your first appearance and the judge will start the eligibility process.