Lexington County Common Pleas is located at 205 East Main Street, Lexington, South Carolina. This is the "new" Courthouse that is located at the corner of South Lake Drive and Main Street.

Common Pleas is the designation for a civil term of Circuit Court. Common Pleas Court has jurisdiction over civil matters involving the State of South Carolina and private party litigation involving individuals and businesses.

Appeals from criminal convictions in the Magistrate Court or Municipal Courts of South Carolina are heard by the Court of Common Pleas. This is because the same judges that hear civil cases in South Carolina also hear criminal cases (during a term of General Sessions) and because the procedures to schedule short hearings are more readily available in civil court.

To appeal a decision from a Lexington County Magistrate or a Municipal Court the first step is to draft the Grounds for Appeal. This document must then be filed with the original Court and with the Lexington County Clerk of Court and a copy served on the prosecuting officer\entity and on the Magistrate or Municipal judge. That judge will then prepare and file a Return responding to the allegations of the Grounds for Appeal. Because Magistrate and Municipal Court sessions are not transcribed by a court reporter the Return becomes an important part of the record on appeal reviewed during the appeal.

The Court will schedule a hearing to hear oral argument on all appeals filed. After considering the arguments made, the Grounds for Appeal, filed briefs and memorandum and the Return the Court will make a ruling either affirming or reversing the Magistrate or Municipal Court judge.

Cases that are further appealed from Common Pleas are taken to the South Carolina Court of Appeals. This process generally takes substantially longer to complete.