Magistrates

The Aiken County Summary Court Judges and their staff are dedicated to helping the citizens of Aiken County in Criminal and Civil Matters. In this department there are nine courts including Traffic Court, Transfer Court and Bond Court. Each court has personnel to provide services to different areas of Aiken County. The goal of the Department is to provide valuable service and to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Aiken County.

The Aiken, Midland Valley, New Ellenton/Jackson, North Augusta, and Wagener/Monetta Summary Courts are responsible for issuing warrants for all criminal offenses in their respective areas. Each Court prepares all civil paperwork, serves this paperwork, and sets up court for disposition. All tickets written for both criminal and traffic misdemeanor offenses are heard in the appropriate Court for disposition.

Traffic Court hears all traffic cases for highway patrol, county officers, SRS, and some USC Aiken traffic cases. Citizens may pay traffic ticket with money orders, certified checks, or cash. (If mailing in fines, please pay with a money order or cashier check. Do not send cash.) No personal checks are accepted. Traffic Court is located at 420 Hampton Avenue. Traffic Court hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Bond Court sets the amount of bond when someone is arrested then sends the paperwork to the appropriate Court. Bond Court is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with bond hearings at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Bond Court is open Saturday, Sunday, and Observed Holidays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with bond court hearings held at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm. Bond hearings are conducted at the Aiken County Detention Center located at 435 Wire Road, Aiken SC 29801.

Transfer Court hears DUI, DUI 2nd offense, unlawful carrying of a pistol, night hunting cases, and any other cases the Solicitor's Office and the defendant have agreed to have heard in Transfer Court provided the fine is $7,500 or less and the jail time is a year or less. Hearings are held downtown at the Judicial Center by a magistrate judge. Citizens must pay their fines at the Aiken Summary Court where case files are maintained. Transfer Court hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.