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The Court of General Sessions is the court of general jurisdiction over criminal cases in Charleston County, exepting most misdemeanor cases, which are usually adjudicated in the Magistrates' Courts. Special Magistrates' Courts also exist for the purpose of handling the bond hearing and preliminary hearing phases of the criminal case process.
Juvenile criminal violations are processed through the Charleston County Family Court.
The Court of Common Pleas is the court of general jurisdiction over criminal cases. The Court of Common Pleas and Court of General Sessions are, respectively, the civil and criminal branches of the Circuit Court of South Carolina. Charleston and Berkeley Counties form the 9th Judicial Circuit of the state's 16 circuits. 43 circuit judges rotate among the 16 circuits. Circuit Court judges are elected by the General Assembly and serve six-year terms. Their salaries are paid by the State.