• Click a Magistrate location on the imagelink below for more information •
About Civil Court
Below is a description of the most common types of civil cases heard in magistrate court.
Eviction/Notice to Quit: An eviction can be filed when there is a landlord/tenant relationship. Usually, this means
rent is being paid by the tenant or there is an agreement between the tenant and the landlord whether verbal or in
writing. A notice to quit should be filed when there is no landlord/tenant relationship.
Summons and Complaint: A summons and complaint is a lawsuit. As long as the amount that is being sought is not more
than $7500 it can be filed in magistrate court.
Restraining Order: An individual may seek a restraining order against a person who is actively engaged in harassment in
the first or second degree and/or stalking.
Claim and Delivery: A claim and delivery action seeks the recovery of specific personal property.
Below is a website link where you can enter street address that will direct you to the appropriate court for filing your civil action.
The address entered will be based on the following information:
- For an eviction or notice to quit, enter the street address where the tenant is residing.
- For a summons and complaint, enter the street address of the individual or business you want to sue or where the majority of the cause of action occurred.
- For a restraining order, enter the street address where the individual lives that you want restrained.
- For a claim and delivery, enter the street address where the property you want to recover is located.
Magistrate Court Information
After entering the street address for any of the above civil actions, follow these simple steps:
About Jury Duty
Juries in Magistrate courts are randomly selected from the voter registration list within their voting district.
Generally, these juries consist of six jurors and two alternates. All persons receiving a jury summons should
appear at the time and place listed unless they have been excused by the presiding judge. If you think you qualify
for exemption from jury duty, telephone the court for further instructions. Some valid excuses are: age, having young
children and no child care, physical, or mental restrictions, recent jury service, etc. The court may, for good reason,
delay your service to a later date at the judge's discretion.
Come to the jury selection prepared to stay most of the day. (You may want to bring a good book to fill in time gaps.)
You will be given instructions for the remainder of the week by the court and expected to return promptly as needed.
You will be paid $10 for each day that you are required to appear.
Be prepared to turn in the mileage from your home to the court for which you will be paid at a current mileage rate.
Normally, the court will recess for meals.
Dress appropriately for the courtroom. Inappropriate dress would include: hats, tank tops, shorts, flip-flops, etc.
Do Not Bring Telephones, Pagers, or any other noise making electronics,
ABSOLUTELY NO WEAPONS ARE TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE BUILDING. You may be subject to search or scanning devices.
Greenville Summary Courts
The Greenville county Summary Court Judges (Magistrates) have countywide jurisdiction and are committed to assisting the
citizens of Greenville County. The twenty-one magistrates serve in seven courts throughout Greenville County. See the individual
court listings for location, telephone numbers, and court hours.
Magistrates are appointed to four-year terms by the governor and have senate approval. All Summary courts are under the guidance
of South Carolina Court Administration. Each county has a chief magistrate appointed by the Chief Justice of the South Carolina
Supreme Court.
Magistrates issue warrants, set bonds and hear criminal, traffic, and civil cases, as well as preliminary hearings and transfer
cases for Greenville County. These courts are not to be confused with the local municipal courts.
Traffic tickets may be paid with money orders, or certified checks, made payable to the court, or cash. They will not accept
personal checks. Traffic cases initiated by the SC Highway Patrol and Greenville Counties Sheriff deputies are heard in the
following courts:
- East Greenville Township
- North Greenville Township
- Fairview Austin Township
- West Greenville Township
To pay a ticket online, click the following link and enter the citation number and your last name.
Online payments Greenville
Generally the criminal jurisdiction involves cases with a maximum fine of $500 and or 30 days in jail. Assessments and court
costs may be added to this $500 fine. In some specific cases punishment can be more.
Persons appearing in Magistrate court are entitled to a jury trial after one has been properly requested. Magistrates are empowered
to summon juries and conduct jury trials.
The civil jurisdiction is limited to amounts less than $7500 and may include such matters as summons and complaint, landlord/tenant
actions, trespass, sales of abandoned property and claim and delivery.
