If you have a court date in Columbia, South Carolina, you’re headed to one of two main buildings. State cases 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 security screening, parking setup, and case-lookup system, and showing up at the wrong one can cost you the day.
Richland County Judicial Center
The Richland County Judicial Center at 1701 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201 is where most local legal matters are handled.1South Carolina Judicial Branch. Richland County Courthouse Under one roof: Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, the Clerk of Court’s office, and the Public Defender’s office. The building is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.2Richland County. Clerk of Court
Useful numbers 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, located in Suite 103 off the main lobby4Richland County. Public Defender
Matthew J. Perry, Jr. United States Courthouse
Federal cases are heard at the Matthew J. Perry, Jr. United States Courthouse at 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201. This is the District of South Carolina’s headquarters, and it handles federal criminal prosecutions, civil rights cases, bankruptcy appeals, and lawsuits involving federal law. The main line is (803) 765-5816.5United States District Court District of South Carolina. Court Location Columbia, SC The U.S. Marshals Service office in the building can be reached at (803) 765-5821.6U.S. Marshals Service. District of South Carolina – Courthouse Locations
Public parking for the federal courthouse is in the garage at 1110 Richland Street, on the corner of Assembly and Richland, about two blocks east. Visitor parking begins on Level 4. Bring at least $20 in cash for the day, since the garage may not accept cards.5United States District Court District of South Carolina. Court Location Columbia, SC
Magistrate Court Is Not in the Judicial Center
Not every state case runs through 1701 Main Street. Richland County has multiple magistrate offices spread across the Columbia area, and your summons or ticket names the specific location. Read it carefully before you leave. 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 What
Knowing which court has your case tells you which building to enter and which clerk to call.
Circuit Court
Circuit Court, inside the Judicial Center, is the court of general jurisdiction. The Court of Common Pleas handles larger civil lawsuits like contract disputes and personal injury claims. The Court of General Sessions handles felonies and serious misdemeanors. If your case involves possible jail time over 30 days or a civil claim above $7,500, it belongs here.
Family Court
Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and juvenile delinquency. Most filings carry a $150 fee, covering divorces, custody matters, support modifications, name changes, and adoptions. No filing fee applies to abuse and neglect cases, protection from domestic abuse orders, juvenile delinquency proceedings, or cases where a judge has allowed you 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 follow a sliding scale that starts at $25 for estates under $5,000 and rises with the size of the estate.
Magistrate Court
Magistrate Court, sometimes called Summary Court, carries the highest case volume. Magistrates hear criminal offenses that carry a fine of up to $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, magistrates hear disputes where the amount at stake does not exceed $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 does not have its own parking garage. Public garages and metered street spaces are within walking distance downtown. Metered street parking runs $1.50 an hour and is 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 court matter could take most of the day, a garage with a flat daily rate is the safer choice. Give yourself an extra 15 minutes on your first visit for the walk in.
Security Screening
Both buildings screen everyone at the entrance. Expect a magnetometer and X-ray for bags, similar to the airport. At the Judicial Center, prohibited items include weapons, chemical sprays such as mace or pepper spray, and sharp objects. Staff will not hold prohibited items for you, so leave anything questionable in your car.
The federal courthouse runs its own protocols, and wireless communication devices may be barred from federal courtrooms entirely. Check your hearing notice or call the court before you go. Both buildings are ADA-compliant, with accessible entrances, restrooms, and parking.
Looking Up Your Case Before You Go
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 your hearing date and courtroom assignment. Traffic tickets appear in the same system’s traffic ticket search tool, though tickets can take three to five business days after issuance before they show up.
Federal case records are available 24 hours a day through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). A free account is required to search. PACER charges $0.10 per page for documents, 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 Case information on a specific court’s system updates immediately, while the nationwide PACER Case Locator updates once a day. The PACER Service Center is 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 beachwear. Once you’re inside the courtroom, stay silent unless a judge or attorney addresses you. Don’t talk in the gallery, react visibly to testimony, or use your phone. Lateness carries real consequences. Arriving after your case is called can result in a bench warrant in a criminal matter or a default judgment in a civil one.
Requesting Accommodations
If you need sign language interpretation, wheelchair access beyond what’s standard, or other auxiliary services at the state courthouse, call the Clerk of Court at (803) 576-1950 at least two business days before your hearing. The earlier you call, the more likely the court can arrange what you need without pushing your date back.
Remote Hearings
Both the state and federal systems in Columbia hold some hearings remotely. If yours is remote, the notice you receive will include a link, phone number, or password for joining. Zoom is the most common platform, and you can usually join through a web browser without downloading anything. Charge your device, check your connection, and find a quiet place where you can speak without interruption.
If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
For state-level criminal charges in Richland County, the Public Defender’s office is inside the Judicial Center at 1701 Main Street, Suite 103, at (803) 765-2592.4Richland County. Public Defender Eligibility is based on financial need, and you’ll typically complete a financial affidavit the court reviews before appointing counsel.
In federal criminal cases, the Criminal Justice Act provides representation to anyone charged with a federal offense who cannot afford a lawyer. The court may assign a Federal Public Defender or a private attorney from the CJA panel. You don’t need to find one yourself. Raise the issue at your first appearance and the judge will start the eligibility process.