Municipal Court


The Town of Batesburg-Leesville Municipal Court is part of the statewide unified court system and Chief Municipal Judge Michael Emmer III is appointed by Town Council.  Municipal Court Administrator Erica Dent oversees the daily operation of the court. The Municipal Court is responsible for warrants, arraignments, and the adjudication of cases.

The Town's Municipal Court is one of limited jurisdiction, hearing only misdemeanor criminal cases, as well as traffic cases carrying a maximum fine and sentence of $500 or 30 days in jail, plus certain other cases as authorized by the South Carolina Legislature.  The court has no civil jurisdiction; no lawsuits or non-criminal matters are heard.  Appeals for decisions received from the court are accepted in circuit court.

The goal of the court is to provide a fair hearing for everyone. 

 

 

Municipal Court
660 West Columbia Avenue
Batesburg-Leesville, SC  29006
Phone: (803) 532-4408
Fax: (803) 532-5827
 
Administrative Office Hours
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday

 

 

 

Appearing In Court

Below are several things you should know before you visit Municipal Court:

Prohibited Items

Food, drink, and ALL weapons are strictly prohibited from the building. DO NOT attempt to bring in any prohibited items. Leave these items at home or in your car. The Court will not store prohibited items in the lobby for pick-up.

 

Court Appearance Attire

Municipal Court is a place of business and visitors should wear clean, fitted clothes. Shirt and shoes are required. Please take your hat off before entering any courtroom. Unacceptable attire includes:

  • Shorts, cut-offs, baggy pants, flip-flop style shoes or hats
  • Muscle shirts, T-shirts, clothing indicating gang affiliation or other clothing with offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, obscene, suggestive words, slogans, depictions or pictures
  • Shirts that are torn, dirty and ragged, too tight, or too short
  • Provocative clothing designed, styled, or worn to provoke emotion or disrupt or distract
  • Pajamas
  • Low-cut tops
  • Short skirts or dresses 
 
Respect for the Court

Please observe the following guidelines when you are in the courtroom:

  • Arrive early and be prepared
  • Turn off pagers and cell phones before entering the courtroom
  • Gum chewing, tobacco or newspapers are not allowed in the courtroom
  • If you bring your children, have someone with you who can take the child out if [s]he becomes loud or disruptive
  • When your case is called, please stand and move to the front of the room
  • Address the judge as "Your Honor"
  • Speak only when instructed or given permission
  • Do not interrupt
  • When you answer questions, be brief and to the point
  • Answer the question you were asked and stop
  • Do not argue, especially with the judge
  • Use formal English, not slang
  • Do not approach the judge’s bench without permission
  • Do not enter or depart the courtroom excessively and do not slam the doors
  • Be patient

 

Pay Traffic Citation

 

 

MUNICIPAL COURT ADMINISTRATOR 
 
Erica Dent
660 West Columbia Avenue
Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29006
(803) 532-4408
(803) 532-5827
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