About the Court System
The Richland County Court System includes the Circuit Court, Register in Probate, Family Court, and Court Commissioner. Together, these offices handle criminal, civil, family, probate, and juvenile matters, working to ensure fair, accessible, and efficient justice for all residents.
Circuit Court Judge
Circuit Court Judges are responsible for conducting court hearings, bench trials, and jury trials concerning most areas of law. These areas include civil and criminal cases, probate of estates, guardianship's and protective placements, mental commitments, juvenile matters, small claims, restraining orders and domestic abuse cases. Judges may conduct marriages upon request. Circuit Court Judges also oversee the management of the entire county court system by developing system policies and procedures to be implemented by the Clerk of Courts.
Family Court Commissioner
The Family Court Commissioner works under the direction of the family or circuit court judge(s). The Family Court Commissioner conducts temporary hearings and enters orders regarding support, maintenance, use of property and payment of debts, custody and visitation, etc.; enforces orders and conducts contempt hearings; ensures all counseling requirements are met; conducts pre-trial conferences; conducts hearings on motions to amend temporary orders or judgments and generally aids attorneys and the public in the efficient processing of family cases.
Register in Probate / Probate Registar
The Registrar in Probate maintains records of estates, adoptions, guardianships, conservatorships, joint tenancy terminations, and summary estate proceedings. The Registrar also furnishes copies of such documents as requested by the public. The Richland County Circuit Court is dedicated to providing limited English proficient (LEP) individuals with timely and meaningful access to all court activities and programs in accordance with federal and state mandates. Language service inquiries should be directed to the following individuals for guardianship, probate, juvenile including juvenile injunctions, adoption, mental, and termination of parental rights cases.
Judicial Assistant
The Judicial Assistant works under the direction of the Circuit Court Judge and directly provides all administrative and scheduling support to him or her.
Clerk of Juvenile Court
The Clerk of the Juvenile Court schedules juvenile matters, records minutes of juvenile court proceedings, and maintains juvenile court records. Juvenile records are released only upon the Courts order for good cause.
Court Reporter
Court reporters use computer aided transcription equipment to create a verbatim record of most legal proceedings. Court reporters are responsible for ensuring a complete, accurate, and secure legal record. Accuracy is crucial since the court reporter creates the only official court transcript. Many legal proceedings, such as appeals, depend on such transcripts. Transcripts of court proceedings, with limited exception, can be requested in writing. Transcript fees are set on a per page basis as provided by statute.