And we’re not just talking about your standard courthouse. We're talking about a sprawling, decentralized network of courts—each with its own location, staff, and docket. From General Sessions to DUI Court to dozens of Magistrate and Municipal Courts, if you're charged with a crime in Lexington County, chances are high you’ll find yourself in front of a judge somewhere other than the main county courthouse.
Let’s break it down.
1. General Sessions Court
Location: 205 East Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072
Handles: Felony charges, serious misdemeanors
This is the central criminal court for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, where most major criminal cases—like burglary, drug trafficking, and violent offenses—are heard.
2. Lexington County Bond Court
Location: County Jail, 521 Gibson Road, Lexington, SC 29072
Handles: First appearances, bond hearings, initial advisement of charges
Bond Court operates daily inside the county jail and is the first stop for most arrestees.
3. Magistrate-Level Courts
These courts handle lower-level criminal matters such as misdemeanors, bond hearings, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings for felonies.
- Lexington Magistrate Court – 139 East Main Street, Lexington
- Irmo Magistrate Court – 111 Lincreek Drive, Columbia
- Batesburg-Leesville Magistrate Court – 231 West Church Street, Batesburg
- Swansea Magistrate Court – 500 Charlie Rast Road, Swansea
- Oak Grove Magistrate Court – 428 Oak Drive, Lexington
- Cayce\West Columbia Magistrate – 650 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce
4. Specialized Magistrate Courts
- Preliminary Hearing Court – For felony case reviews before indictment
- DUI Court – Located in the Old Courthouse on East Main Street
- Fraudulent Check Court – A dedicated forum for handling bad check cases
- DV Court – Located in the Old Courthouse, hearing all DV 3rd Degree cases
5. Municipal Courts
Each town or city in Lexington County has its own Municipal Court, and all of them hear criminal cases. These courts handle violations of municipal ordinances and misdemeanor-level charges and traffic matters occurring within town limits.
Municipal Courts exist in:
Lexington
Batesburg-Leesville
Cayce
West Columbia
Gaston
Chapin
Irmo
Pelion
Pine Ridge
Springdale
South Congaree
Swansea
These are not just traffic courts—many of them routinely handle shoplifting, DUI, simple possession, and other criminal cases. Each court operates independently and maintains its own schedule. Each of these municipalities has its own independent police department, and it’s own independent court.
A few courts have lawyers that have been appointed as judges. Several use current or retired county magistrate judges for their municipal court. They also hear preliminary hearings for General Sessions cases where the arrest was made by the municipality’s police department. These judges also issue arrest and search warrants for the municipal police department.
So, How Many Criminal Courts Are We Talking About?
Here’s a rough count:
- 1 General Sessions Court
- 1 Bond Court
- 4 Specialized Magistrate Courts
- 6 Magistrate Courts
- 12 Municipal Courts
That brings us to 23 distinct courts hearing criminal matters in Lexington County—and that number doesn’t even include juvenile or family courts with criminal crossover. And criminal appeals from the magistrate or municipal courts are heard in yet another court, Lexington County Common Pleas.
Why It Matters
If you or someone you care about is facing criminal charges in Lexington County, knowing which court you’re in can make a huge difference. Each court has its own rules, procedures, and even personalities. Some may offer diversion programs. Others move fast. Some slower. Some are more informal, others are tightly run.
Navigating this web of courts without legal help can be overwhelming. Our office helps clients across all of these courts.
Need Help in Lexington County Criminal Court?
We’re here to guide you—whether it’s a speeding ticket in Irmo or a felony case in General Sessions. Lexington SC Criminal Defense Attorney James R. Snell, Jr., is the past-president of the Lexington County Bar Association and has been representing clients in Lexington area criminal courts for over 20 years. Contact us today for a consultation regarding your case. Reach out to us at (803) 359-3301.