Court Calendar & Dress Code

Municipal Court

1067 West Main Street (street address)

PO Box 549 (mailing address)

Central, SC 29630

(864) 639-6381 ext. 121

8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday

The Town of Central Municipal Court is responsible for the adjudication of all traffic and misdemeanor offenses/violations of the Town and State laws. These offenses are subject to a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days, or both, and which occur within the town limits of Central. Municipal Court is a summary court under the authority of the unified court system of the State of South Carolina.

Staff:

Chief Municipal Judge: Jessica Wells

YOU MAY RESPOND TO THE CITATION ISSUED TO YOU BY:

1. Paying fine prior to the assigned date of trial by mail, in person or online.

Click Here to pay online. Enter your Case # (which is the ticket number ) and your last name.

To look-up your case number go to Pickens County Public Index.

2. Appearing in Court on the assigned date of trial and have a trial conducted by the Judge.

FORMS OF PAYMENT

CASH, MONEY ORDER, CASHIER’S CHECK, VISA, MASTERCARD AND DISCOVER

(NO PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED)

FAILURE TO DO ONE OF THE ABOVE WILL RESULT IN A TRIAL IN YOUR ABSENCE FINES MAY BE HIGHER

Show Proof of …

Insurance 56-05-0225; 56-10-0520

Proof of Insurance MUST be provided to the office prior to the scheduled court date and time, or you must show proof during the scheduled court date and time, at the Municipal Court located in the Town Hall, 1067 W Main St (Hwy 93). The insurance card presented should show that coverage was in effect at the time the citation was received. If you have lost you card, please contact your insurance company immediately. Once valid proof has been shown, the charge will be dismissed. If you fail to show proof prior to or during court, a fine will be assessed by the Judge. Proof of insurance WILL NOT be accepted after court.

Driving without a Driver’s License 56-01-0020; 56-01-0440

Proof of a valid Driver’s License MUST be provided to the office prior to the scheduled court date and time, or you must show proof during the scheduled court date and time, at the Municipal Court located in the Town Hall, 1067 W Main St (Hwy 93). The Driver’s License must have been valid at the time the citation was received. If you have lost your Driver’s License, please contact your home state’s Department of Motor Vehicles immediately for a replacement. Once valid proof has been provided, the charge will be dismissed. If you fail to show proof prior to or during court, a fine will be assessed by the Judge. Proof of a valid Driver’s License WILL NOT be accepted after court.

License Suspensions

If your license is under suspension for an unpaid ticket that was issued by the Central Police Department, you must pay the fine at Central Town Hall. The court will provide you a copy of Form DL-53.

South Carolina Drivers:

You must present in person at a local DMV Office or mail the form DL-53 to:

South Carolina Dept of Motor Vehicles

Driver Records
Drawer 100178
Columbia, South Carolina 29202-3178
Telephone: 803-896-5000

If the compliance is not received in the Driver Records Office before the beginning date of the suspension, a $100.00 reinstatement fee will be required by the State in order for the suspension to be withdrawn.

Out of State Drivers:

You must present or mail the form DL-53 along with any applicable reinstatement fees to the state in which you are a licensed driver. Any questions you may have concerning reinstatement fees or driver license suspension must be directed to your home state.

Bond Hearings

Bond Hearings are conducted at Pickens County Detention Center located at 701 S. Catherine St. Pickens, SC

Monday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Traffic and Criminal Court

The courtroom is located within the Central Town Hall, 1067 West Main Street, Central, SC

Appearing in Municipal Court

Food, drink, bags of any kind (purses, briefcases, backpacks, etc.) and ALL weapons are strictly prohibited from the building. DO NOT attempt to bring in any prohibited items. Leave these items at home or in your car. The Court will not store prohibited items in the lobby for pick-up.

Court Appearance Attire

Court is a place of business and visitors should wear clean, fitted clothes. Please remove hats, sunglasses, or helmets before entering courtroom.

You will NOT be allowed to enter the courtroom wearing the following inappropriate clothing (THIS MAY RESULT IN A TRIAL IN YOUR ABSENCE):

shorts or cut-offs, flip-flop style shoes
Mini-skirts or dresses
Halter tops, Tube tops, Tank tops, Low-cut tops, or “muscle” shirts
Clothing that exposes your midriff or underwear
Baggy pants that fall below your waist
See-through clothes, pajama -type clothing, slippers or work out gear
Clothing with offensive words or images

Please observe the following guidelines when you are in the courtroom:

When your case is called, go to the podium
DO NOT approach the judge’s bench without permission
Address the judge as “Your Honor”
Speak only when instructed or given permission
Use formal English, not slang
Do not enter or depart the courtroom excessively

Jury Trials

Notification is sent regarding the specific dates.

Pre-Trial Hearings

Notification is sent regarding the specific dates.

Preliminary Hearings

Notification is sent regarding the specific dates.

Diversion Programs

Office for the Thirteenth Circuit Diversion Program is located at 113 Court Street, Pickens, SC 29671. 864-898-5628

Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) or Traffic Education Program (TEP)

Applications are accepted IN PERSON at the Diversion Program office between the hours of 9:00 am and 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm., Monday – Friday. MUST APPLY PRIOR to your assigned date of trial. For further information call (864) 898-5682.

Alcohol Education Program (AEP)

Referrals must be IN PERSON and PRIOR to your assigned date of trial. Contact the Central Municipal Court to schedule a time for referral.