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Municipal Court - Financial, Fines & Fees

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1. What type of payments do you accept?

We accept cash, credit/debit cards. and money order. No business checks will be accepted. The court no longer accepts personal checks.

2. Why won't you take my check?

The court no longer accepts personal or business checks.

3. Can I use my credit/debit card to post bail?

State statute authorizes the payment by credit/debit card.

4. When do I have to have my fine?

All fines and restitution are due on the day of sentencing.

5. Can my fine be deducted from monies posted for my bond?

Yes, if you are the person who posted the monies for your bond. If someone else posted your bond monies, the fine cannot be deducted.

6. What will happen if I don't pay my fine by the due date?

If you have a traffic charge and do not pay, your driver's license will be suspended until you do. If you have a criminal charge and do not pay, a warrant will be issued for Contempt of Court.

7. Can I just pay the amount on the warrant and not go to jail?

You will need to go to the Town of Summerville’s Warrant Division and have the warrant served at the Summerville Police Department at:
300 W 2nd N Street
Summerville, SC 29483 

Then you can pay the full amount on the warrant or have someone pay the full amount.

8. Can I pay my fine online?

Yes, you may. To pay online, please visit the Online Citation Payment website.

9. Can I pay my fine over the phone?

Fines must be paid in-person at Summerville Municipal Court (200 S Main Street), by mail or online. Fines may be paid by cash, credit/debit cards, and money orders only. No personal or business checks will be accepted. To pay online, please visit the Online Citation Payment website.

10. Can I pay my ticket and still appear to plead not guilty?

Payment indicates a guilty plea and forfeiture of fine monies. Appearing on your court date gives you a chance to ask for a reduction in fines or plead not guilty.

11. When will I get my bond money back?

Bonds are only released upon order by a judge, dismissal of the charge, or a finding of not guilty. The bond is returned only to the party posting it. Bond refunds follow the Town of Summerville’s refund process and may take up to 30 days.

12. When will I get my money back?

Refunds follow the Town of Summerville’s refund process and may take up to 30 days.

13. Who gets the money on a refund?

The person who paid the money will receive the refund.

14. What are court costs?

Court costs are fees and assessments assigned by state statute created by the South Carolina legislature. They are subject to change annually.

15. Why do I have to pay court costs when I didn't go to court?

Court costs, fees, and assessments are established by the South Carolina legislature and are subject to change annually. These changes are updated in Summerville Municipal Court's case management system under the complete control of the South Carolina Judicial Department. Court costs are assigned to the particular charge you were given, not according to your court appearance.

16. Why are my court costs so high?

Court costs, fees, and assessments are established by the South Carolina legislature and are subject to change annually. These changes are updated in Summerville Municipal Court's case management system under the complete control of the South Carolina Judicial Department.

17. What are your hours of operation?

Summerville Municipal Court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. 

Payments are not accepted after 4:30 p.m.

18. Where are you located?

Summerville Municipal Court is located at:
200 S Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483

The building is located on the corner of South Main Street and West Richardson Avenue, across from Hutchinson Square.

19. What do I do about the officer being rude?

You will need to contact the officer or his/her supervisor at 843-875-1650. You may have to leave a message. Summerville Municipal Court employees are not authorized to speak for officers or about an officer's actions.

20. Why aren't the employees more helpful?

The law prohibits Summerville Municipal Court employees other than the Municipal Judge or Associate Municipal Judge from explaining or interpreting the law. As a result, court employees must refrain from answering many questions asked of them because to do so would constitute legal advice, which court personnel may not provide. Instead, they must refer you to competent legal counsel.

21. Will you call the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and tell them I paid my ticket?

Due to the large volume of traffic tickets, Summerville Municipal Court employees do not make individual calls for this purpose. You will need to take your individual receipt(s) to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

22. What is the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) telephone number?

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may be reached at 803-896-5000.