Circuit Court is located on the second floor of the Dorchester County Courthouse.

All Circuit Court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court. 

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General Overview

The Circuit Court is South Carolina's court of general jurisdiction. It has a civil court; which is the Court of Common Pleas and a criminal court, which is the Court of General Sessions. In addition to its general trial jurisdiction, the Circuit Court has limited appellate jurisdiction over appeals from all lower courts including Probate Court, Magistrate's Court, and Municipal Court.

Dorchester County is in the First Judicial Circuit. Circuit judges serve the sixteen circuits on a rotating basis, with court terms and assignments determined by the Chief Justice based upon recommendations of Court Administration. Circuit court judges are elected by the General Assembly to staggered terms of six years.