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Family Court has jurisdiction over matters such as child support, adoption, domestic abuse, abuse and neglect, interstate custody cases, Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act ("URESA") cases, and domestic relations; that is, cases such as divorce, annullment, paternity, and change of name. Family Court also serves as a collection agent for child support in Charleston County. Juvenile criminal matters are also adjudicated in Family Court.
Unlike the Courts of Common Pleas or General Sessions, many Family Court case records are considered confidential and may only be inspected with special permission. Cases involving juvenile delinquency, adoptions, temination of parental rights, abuse and neglect and any other case in which the records are ordered sealed by the court, are completely confidential. Files for these types of cases may not be inspected, and the cases are not available for access through the Clerk of Court's Public Access system.
The uniform statewide Family Court System was established by statute in 1976 and follows the territorial boundaries of the 16 judicial circuits. The 49 Family Court judges rotate within this circuit. Family Court judges are elected to four-year terms by the General Assembly, and their salaries are paid by the state government. Funds to operate Family Court are provided by County Council with administrative support provided by the Clerk of Court.