The new Spartanburg County Courthouse officially opened in 2023, replacing the previous courthouse that had served the community since 1957. The courthouse is located at 180 Magnolia Street, downtown Spartanburg. The modern facility, located in downtown Spartanburg, was built with an eye toward the future, intended to meet not only the current needs of the judicial system but also those of the next 100 years. Make no mistake, this is a big courthouse at 340,000 square feet. For comparison, the average Wal-Mart is 178,000 square feet.
The courthouse now houses Magistrate Court, Probate Court, Common Pleas (civil court), and General Sessions (criminal court). The City of Spartanburg Municipal Court is also located in the same complex. Over the past year, I’ve had multiple hearings there involving both criminal and civil matters, giving me a chance to experience the new building firsthand.
The first thing you notice when arriving is the parking situation. Most of the available parking is located in a parking garage that sits some distance from the courthouse itself. This can be inconvenient for those with mobility issues or anyone arriving close to their scheduled court time. It's important to plan ahead. Give yourself enough time not just to park but to make the walk to the courthouse entrance.
Once inside, you're struck by the sheer size of the building. This is a very large facility, designed to accommodate future growth in Spartanburg County. That makes it modern and forward-looking, but also potentially overwhelming. It can be difficult to locate the exact courtroom your case is in. Fortunately, there are many deputies and other employees, and they seem happy to help point people in the right direction.
The courtrooms themselves are large, bright, and modern. They’re built to handle busy dockets and are technologically up-to-date. That said, they do feel a bit bare, the design relies heavily on blank walls and neutral colors, which can come off as stark or impersonal. Another unusual design choice is the very large open area between the courthouse doors and the security screening zone. While it makes for a dramatic entrance, it also feels somewhat out of place and underutilized, especially considering the distance many visitors have already walked from the parking garage.
Overall, the new Spartanburg County Courthouse is an impressive investment in the future of the county’s judicial system. It has modern amenities, plenty of space, and is staffed by professionals who work hard to make the experience smooth for attorneys and the public alike. Like any new facility, it has a few quirks, but they don’t take away from the overall functionality and improvements over the previous courthouse.
If you have a pending court case in Spartanburg County and are looking for experienced legal representation, our office is available to help. We regularly appear in both criminal and civil courts throughout South Carolina, including Spartanburg. Contact the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, today at (803) 359-3301 to schedule a free consultation.