Horry County Arrest Records Search Guide (2026): J. Reuben Long Bookings & Public Index Access

Searching for arrest records in Horry County, South Carolina requires navigating multiple municipal, county, and state public safety databases. Whether you are conducting a background check, locating a detainee in Conway, or verifying disposition records in Myrtle Beach, accessing accurate public records depends on using the correct official repository.

Clarification Note: Horry County arrest records are distinct from final court disposition records. Booking logs maintained by law enforcement reflect initial charges and detention status at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, whereas judicial outcomes are maintained separately by the Horry County Clerk of Court.

Accessing J. Reuben Long Detention Center Booking Roster and Local Law Enforcement Logs

All individuals arrested by law enforcement agencies within Horry County—including the Horry County Police Department (HCPD), Horry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Myrtle Beach Police Department, Conway Police Department, and North Myrtle Beach Public Safety—are centralized for intake and processing at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Conway, South Carolina.

Online Detention Roster

The Horry County Sheriff’s Office maintains a digital booking search tool accessible through the official Horry County government portal. The roster provides real-time information regarding current inmates, recent releases, and pending charges.

To locate an individual in custody:

• Required Identifiers: Full legal first and last name; date of birth or booking number accelerates search filtering.
• Information Displayed: Mugshot, full legal name, booking date and time, arresting agency, charge descriptions, bond amounts, and assigned court division.
• Victim Notification Integration: The portal integrates with South Carolina VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), allowing crime victims to register for automated notification upon an inmate's release or transfer.

Physical Facility Location and Records Office

For in-person inquiries, bond verification, or formal administrative documentation regarding an inmate currently held in Conway:

J. Reuben Long Detention Center4150 J Reuben Long AveConway, SC 29526Facility Phone: (843) 915-5140

For local incident reports that have not yet resulted in a jail transfer, records must be requested directly from the arresting municipal department's records division (e.g., Myrtle Beach Police Department Headquarters at 1101 Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC).

Navigating the Horry County Public Index and SLED CATCH Records

An arrest record documents an initial encounter with law enforcement but does not establish criminal guilt. To verify whether an arrest resulted in a conviction, dismissal, or pretrial diversion program, searches must extend to state and judicial record portals.

[Arrest Event] ---> [J. Reuben Long Booking] ---> [15th Judicial Circuit Court Case] ---> [SLED State Criminal Record]

(Concept Note: The lifecycle of a public record progresses from initial police booking to judicial disposition and state criminal history updates.)

1. The Horry County Public Index (15th Judicial Circuit)

The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides an online Public Index managed by the Horry County Clerk of Court. This system archives records from the Circuit Court (General Sessions for felonies and serious misdemeanors) and Magistrate Courts across the county.

• Search Parameters: Search by party name, case number, or filing date range.
• Data Available: Case summaries, indictment numbers, judge assignments, defense attorneys of record, preliminary hearing dates, plea agreements, verdicts, and formal sentencing orders.
• Verification Function: Essential for determining if a booking recorded at J. Reuben Long was subsequently dismissed, nolle prossed, or resolved via Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI).

Horry County Clerk of Court (Conway Courthouse)Government & Justice Center1301 2nd Ave, Suite 1C01Conway, SC 29526Phone: (843) 915-5080

2. SLED CATCH (Statewide Background Checks)

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) operates the CATCH system (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories). While county portals provide localized logs, SLED CATCH serves as the official state repository for fingerprint-supported criminal history background checks in South Carolina.

• Scope: Covers arrests and dispositions across all 46 South Carolina counties.
• Processing Fee: $25.00 per name-based search (non-refundable).
• Compliance Standard: SLED reports are accepted by South Carolina employers, licensing bodies, and housing authorities meeting Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) standards.

Official Public Record Search Platforms in Horry County (2026 Data Comparison)

Choosing the correct public search tool depends on the depth of information required and the timeline of the incident.

Legal Privacy Protections, SC FOIA Compliance, and Expungement Rules

Public access to criminal arrest histories in South Carolina is governed by state statutory frameworks prioritizing public safety transparency while protecting individual rights following non-conviction outcomes.

South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (SC FOIA)

Under South Carolina Code of Laws § 30-4-10 et seq., law enforcement arrest logs, booking rosters, and incident reports are categorized as public records. Under SC FOIA guidelines:

• 14-Day Public Access Requirement: Law enforcement agencies must make daily booking logs available for public inspection within 14 days of the record creation.
• Exemptions: Records involving ongoing undercover investigations, confidential informant data, juvenile offender identities (under 18 years of age), or sensitive victim details in sex crime cases are redacted prior to public release.

Commercial Mugshot Website Restrictions

South Carolina law strictly regulates the commercial exploitation of arrest mugshots. Under state statutes, private operators of "mugshot publishing websites" are prohibited from demanding payment or fee compensation to remove arrest photos, particularly if the individual was acquitted or charges were dismissed. Failure to remove records upon formal notification can subject operators to civil liabilities under state consumer protection standards.

Expungement of Arrest Records in South Carolina

If an arrest in Horry County did not result in a conviction, or if an individual completes specific statutory requirements, the arrest record may be eligible for legal destruction (expungement) under SC Code § 17-22-150 and § 22-5-910.

• Automatic Expungement on Non-Convictions: Under South Carolina law, if charges are dismissed, nolle prossed, or the defendant is found not guilty at trial, the arrest record, mugshot, and associated fingerprints must be expunged without requiring a costly application fee.
• Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) & Diversion: Completion of Horry County Solicitor's Office diversion programs results in mandatory record expungement.
• Eligible Misdemeanors: First-offense summary court convictions (e.g., simple possession, non-violent ordinance violations) may qualify for expungement after a mandatory three-year waiting period with zero subsequent offenses.

Step-by-Step Process to Request Official Police Reports and Arrest Certificates

If you require certified documentation of an arrest or criminal disposition for legal proceedings, employment screening, or immigration processes in 2026, follow this structured administrative workflow:

1. Identify the Primary Jurisdictional AgencyDetermine whether the arrest was executed by the Horry County Police Department, Horry County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP Trooper), or a municipal agency such as the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

2. Submit an Incident / Police Report RequestFor incidents handled by county police, submit a written FOIA request to the Horry County Police Department Records Division located at 2560 Advancement Lane, Conway, SC 29526. Provide the case date, location, involved party names, and incident report number if known.

3. Obtain Certified Court Disposition RecordsIf the arrest led to court proceedings, visit the Horry County Clerk of Court at the Conway Courthouse. Request a certified copy of the record disposition from the General Sessions or Magistrate court records desk. A certified copy bears the official court seal verifying the final case disposition.

4. Run a Certified Statewide Check via SLEDLog onto the SLED CATCH portal, enter the subject's legal demographic details, pay the $25 fee, and download the official state background report. If notarization or official state sealing is required for international legal use (Apostille), check the certification box during application.

Frequently Asked Questions About Horry County Arrest Records

How do I find out if someone is currently in jail at J. Reuben Long Detention Center?

You can search the active inmate roster on the Horry County Sheriff's Office website using the subject's legal name, or call the detention center's booking line at (843) 915-5140. The database provides booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and mugshots for current detainees.

Are mugshots public record in Horry County, South Carolina?

Yes, mugshots created during inmate intake at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center are public records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. However, state law prohibits commercial entities from charging fees to remove booking photos, and expunged records mandate complete removal from public government databases.

What is the difference between an arrest record and a criminal conviction in Horry County?

An arrest record documents that law enforcement detained an individual based on probable cause of a crime, whereas a conviction is a final judicial determination of guilt made by a court or jury. An arrest alone does not establish legal guilt and does not guarantee that formal charges were prosecuted.

How long does an arrest stay on your public record in South Carolina if charges were dropped?

Arrest records remain accessible in public indices indefinitely unless an official expungement order is processed. Once an expungement order is issued by the 15th Judicial Circuit Court Solicitor, government databases must remove the record, typically within 60 to 90 days of order entry.

Can I look up juvenile arrest records in Horry County?

No, juvenile arrest and family court records in South Carolina are strictly confidential under SC Code § 63-19-2020. Public portals, including the Horry County Public Index and J. Reuben Long online rosters, do not publish booking information or court dockets for minors under 18 years of age.

Navigating Public Records Responsibly

Understanding how to access, interpret, and resolve Horry County arrest records empowers individuals, employers, and legal representatives to navigate South Carolina's public disclosure systems effectively. Always ensure background verification relies on certified state reports from SLED or official dispositions from the Horry County Clerk of Court rather than third-party aggregators. If an unverified or outdated record affects your public profile, consult with a licensed South Carolina criminal defense attorney to evaluate your eligibility for record expungement or judicial correction.