Below is a general overview of when juvenile records can be expunged in South Carolina. Please note that the Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not provide legal advice.
Read the legal policies and statutes for detailed statutory information.
Juvenile Record Clearances Policies Overview
Some juvenile records can be expunged.
You may not be eligible for expungement if you have certain convictions or adjudications on your record or have pending criminal or juvenile charges.
Find a Lawyer
If you think you might be eligible to have your record expunged, find a lawyer who may be able to help you. Some lawyers might help you for free, although you may still need to pay a fee to file the paperwork in court.
Court Forms and Resources
If you cannot find a lawyer to help you, you may be able to file a petition on your own using these court forms and resources.
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Contact information for legal aid organizations, bar associations, and other organizations that engage in record clearance work is provided for informational purposes only. The Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not endorse or recommend any organization or individual referenced on the site. If you are a legal service provider who offers record clearance services, please contact us.
Service area: Statewide
Service area: Statewide
Service area: Statewide
Records relating to a first misdemeanor fraudulent check offense can be expunged by the court one year after the conviction, so long as the person has no other conviction during that time. S.C. Code Ann. § 34-11-90(e).
View DetailsRecords relating to a minor offense handled in magistrate's or general sessions court--or multiple offenses if they arose from the same incident and the person was sentenced at the same proceeding--may be expunged by the court three years after conviction, provided the person has no other conviction during the three year period. S.C. Code Ann. § 22-5-910.
View DetailsRecords relating to a first domestic violence in the third degree offense, handled in magistrate's or general sessions court, may be expunged by the court five years after the conviction, if the person has no other conviction during that time. S.C. Code Ann. § 22-5-910(B).
View DetailsRecords relating to a first misdemeanor failure to stop a motor vehicle when signaled by a law enforcement vehicle may be expunged by the court three years after sentence completion, if the person has no other conviction during that time. S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-750(F).
View DetailsRecords relating to a first offense as a youthful offender can be expunged by the court five years after sentence completion, if the person has no other conviction during the five years. S.C. Code Ann. § 22-5-920.
View DetailsRecords relating to a first offense of minor drug possession can be expunged by the court three years after sentence completion if the person has no other conviction during the three years. S.C. Code Ann. § 22-5-930.
View DetailsRecords relating to a first offense of drug possession with intent to distribute can be expunged by the court 20 years after sentence completion if the person has no other conviction during the 20 years. S.C. Code Ann. § 22-5-930.
View DetailsRecords relating to a conviction that resulted from the petitioner being a victim of human trafficking can be vacated and expunged by the court. S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-2020(F).
View DetailsRecords relating to an arrest for which the petitioner successfully completed an alcohol education program can be destroyed by the court. S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-530.
View DetailsRecords related to an arrest for which the petitioner successfully completed a traffic education program can be destroyed by the court. S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-330.
View DetailsRecords relating to a first controlled substance charge can be expunged by the court upon dismissal following the successful completion of probation pursuant to a conditional discharge. S.C. Code Ann. § 44-53-450.
View DetailsRecords relating to an arrest and charge can be destroyed by the court upon the successful completion of a pretrial intervention program. S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-150.
View DetailsRecords relating to a criminal offense that was discharged, dismissed, or resulted in an acquittal are placed under seal immediately and destroyed after three years and 120 days. S.C. Code Ann. § 17-1-40.
View DetailsRecords relating to a delinquency matter where the person was found not guilty will be expunged, so long as the person is not subject to a disqualifying event. S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2050(C)(3).
View DetailsRecords relating to nonviolent charges can be expunged once the person turns 17, so long as the person is not subject to a disqualifying event. S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2050(C)(2), (3).
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