There are seven Magistrates’ Courts in Pickens County inclusive of the Centralized Traffic Court,
Fraudulent Check Court and Preliminary Hearing Court. Magistrates serve four-year terms and
are appointed by the Governor with the advise and consent of the Senate. Administrative support
to the Magistrates’ Court is provided by the South Carolina Court Administration.

Magistrates’ Courts have jurisdiction over most traffic violations and criminal misdemeanor cases
(cases with punishments of a fine not exceeding $500.00 plus assessments or imprisonment not
exceeding 30 days or both). The most common types of criminal matters heard by Magistrates
include criminal domestic violence, unlawful use of telephone, assault and battery, malicious injury
to property, harassment, receiving or possession of stolen goods, obtaining goods under false
pretenses, and violation of the South Carolina check law. In addition, Magistrates preside over
Bond Hearing Court. To further increase efficiency, Preliminary Hearings, Fraudulent Checks and
traffic offenses are centralized to single courts, rather than being held and four different
Magistrates’ Court locations.

Magistrates’ Court handle such types of civil matters as Evictions and Landlord/Tenant disputes,
Summons and Complaint actions, Claim and Delivery actions, and public sales of abandoned
property. Each Magistrates Court, sometimes referred to as “Small Claims Court” have countywide
jurisdiction involving disputed amounts of less than $7,500.00. Civil matters involving amounts
greater than $7,500.00 must be heard in the Court of Common Pleas.

Additionally, Magistrates may also issue Bench Warrants, emergency Orders of Protection when
Family Court is not in session, and Restraining Orders under the Harassment and Stalking statute.
State law requires each Magistrates’ Court to keep a docket for criminal and civil cases, and to
report all fees collected at fines imposes.