Greenville County Court

County Resources

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Greenville County Court Information

Greenville County court cases are heard in one of three locations.

Greenville Municipal Court
426 North Main Street
Greenville, SC 29601-2097
864-232-2273

Greenville County Family Court
350 Halton Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607
864-467-5800

Greenville County Courthouse
Courthouse
305 E North St
Greenville, SC 29601-2121
864-467-8551

Circuit Court

Greenville County falls under the 13th Judicial Circuit in South Carolina. This includes the Court of General Sessions, Court of Common Pleas, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Juvenile Court, Masters-in-Equity, and Probate Court.

Circuit court judges are elected by the General Assembly to staggered terms of six years.

Civil Court – Court of Common Pleas

In South Carolina, Civil Court is known as the Court of Common Pleas. Cases in this court are non-criminal. When the value or amount of money in dispute is less than $7500, Small Claims Court is used to handle the matter. For amounts larger than $7500, the Court of Common Pleas hears the case.

Criminal Court – Court of General Sessions

The Criminal Court is referred to as the Court of General Sessions in South Carolina. This court is used for adult misdemeanor criminal cases that carry a punishment of more than 30 days in jail or a $500 fine. It’s also used for adult felony criminal cases. The General Sessions Court can issue a maximum sentence of the death penalty.

Family Court

Family Court has jurisdiction over all cases involving separations and divorces, custody and visitation rights, adoption and terminating parental rights, name changes, child support, alimony, and division of marital assets.

Family Court also has jurisdiction over cases involving minors under age 17 who are charged with violating state law or municipal ordinances.

Probate Court

Probate Court hears cases involving the will and/or the estate of a deceased person. It also has jurisdiction over trusts, estates of minors or incapacitated persons, and involuntary commitments for mental health and/or drug treatment. The Probate Court is also in charge of issuing marriage licenses.

Juvenile Court

Juvenile Court falls under Family Court and handles the criminal prosecution of juveniles under age 18. In certain cases, minors may be considered adults and moved to the Court of General Sessions.

Drug Court

The Adult Drug Court program is an 18 month program. This program includes weekly counseling sessions, random drug screens, and regular court sessions to track progress. Failure to comply with the program could result in longer/more intensive treatment, jail time, or community service. Participants must be employed full-time throughout the program.

Juvenile Drug Court

Juvenile Drug Court is a program designed to last 12-18 months. Participants are required to appear in court weekly and attend counseling twice each week. They must comply with the treatment plans established by the coordinator. They must submit to random drug testing and attend high school or a GED program. If they’ve graduated high school or already have a GED, they must be enrolled in college or a vocational program and/or be employed.

Mental Health Court

Participants in Mental Health Court must be diagnosed with a mental illness and have committed a non-violent felony or misdemeanor. They must not have pending cases and must not pose a threat to the public.

The program lasts 6-12 months. Participants are required to comply with the treatment plans designed for them, agree to random drug screening, and make regular court appearances. When all phases of the program are completed, the charges will be dismissed.

Masters-in-Equity

Masters-in-Equity are special judges appointed by the governor and approved by the legislature. They serve 6-year terms and handle matters referred to them by the Circuit Court. They are legally allowed to rule on motions, rule on the admissibility of evidence, call witnesses, and examine witnesses under oath.

Municipal Court

Municipal Court has jurisdiction over cases that result from violating municipal ordinances. It also has jurisdiction over offenses that can be punished with fines not exceeding $500 and/or jail time of 30 days or less. This court can also hear cases that have been transferred from General Sessions, if the case penalty is one year or less in jail and/or a fine no more than $5,000.

Magistrates

Magistrates in South Carolina are appointed by the governor. To be a magistrate, a person must be a US citizen, at least 21 years old, and a state resident for 5 years. A magistrate must have a four-year degree and must pass a certification exam. Some magistrates are attorneys, but this is not a requirement for the position.