Lexington County Transfer Court

Transfer Court is a specially designated term of General Sessions provided for by statute. Cases are referred to Transfer Court by the Solicitor's office with the consent of the defendant.

Some differences between Transfer Court and General Sessions are:

• Transfer Court is presided by a Magistrate not a Circuit Court Judge
• Transfer Court juries have 6 jurors and in General Sessions there are 12
• Transfer Court does not have the authority to place a defendant on probation
• Transfer Court's jurisdiction in almost all instances is limited to one year imprisonment or a fine

Some typical advantages to having your case referred to Transfer Court include:

• Faster Progression
• Shorter Delays on your Court Date
• Most sentences are fine only
• Reduced risk of lengthy jail or prison sentence

Some examples of common cases referred to Transfer Court are:

Criminal Domestic Violence 2nd Offense
Driving Under the Influence 2nd Offense
Simple Possession of Marijuana 2nd Offense
Controlled Substance Violations

Defendant's do not have to consent to having their case referred to Transfer Court and if they don't they will remain in General Sessions pending a final resolution. Although Transfer Court is presided by a Magistrate the judge will have more authority than they otherwise would sitting in a regular term of Magistrate Court. Additionally the proceedings in Transfer Court are recorded by a Court Reporter making this a Court of Record.

If you have questions regarding your criminal charges and what the implications of appearing in Transfer Court are you are invited to contact the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, for a in office consultation. Our office is conveniently located at 316 South Lake Drive, Lexington, South Carolina which is close to the Lexington County Judicial Center.

The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, is located in Lexington, South Carolina.  Criminal Defense Attorney James Snell represents clients in cases pending in the Lexington County Court of General Sessions including in Transfer Court. For a free consultation about your case contact his office at 1-866-252-5789.