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Municipal Court
Municipal courts possess jurisdiction over cases arising from municipal ordinances and handle offenses punishable by a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both, occurring within the municipality. Furthermore, according to S.C. Code Ann. § 22-3-545, municipal courts may adjudicate cases transferred from general sessions, provided the penalty does not exceed one year of imprisonment or a fine of $5,000, contingent upon a petition by the solicitor and the defendant's agreement. The powers and responsibilities of a municipal judge align with those of a magistrate concerning criminal matters. The term of a municipal judge is determined by the municipality's council.
The Honorable Chief Municipal Judge Kebra Simpson presides over our Municipal Court, and her position is appointed.
Erica Vanderhorst serves as the Administrative Judge/Clerk of Court.
For questions regarding your driver's license, points, suspensions, or other infractions, contact
SCDMV at (803) 896-5000.
- Tickets & Fines
- Diversion Programs
- Preparing for Court
- Jury Duty
- Non-Jury Trial
- Subpoenas & Warrants
Fines are due in full on the day of sentencing. Municipal Court is held in the lower level of the Glennon Center (15077 Molokai Dr. Tega Cay, SC 29708) every month beginning at either 10:00 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. Your assigned court date and time will be written on your ticket by the issuing officer.
No requests for continuances will be considered on the day of your scheduled appearance in court.
Payment Options
We accept money orders or cashier's checks. Payments must be received on or before the due date.
- Pay Online: Payments can be made with a credit card at Tega Cay Payments
- Pay via mail and in-person: 7705 Tega Cay Drive, Tega Cay, SC 29708 (Attn. Tega Cay Municipal Court) NO CASH PAYMENTS ACCEPTED
- Please call (803) 396-0033 to verify if your citation can be paid without a court appearance or you may also email the Clerk of Court for questions.
This court has the option of referring persons, charged with a crime triable in this court, to participate in a diversion program.
PRE-TRIAL INTERVENTION (PTI)
PTI is designed for first time offenders of non-violent crimes. It consists of education, counseling, community service, drug testing, and other requirements that the participant must complete. Successful completion allows for the arrest record to be destroyed. It is designed to give first offenders a second chance. Offenders may only participate in PTI one time. This program is monitored by the York County Solicitors office.
ALCOHOL EDUCATION PROGRAM (AEP)
AEP is designed to address the growing problem of underage drinking and the associated high-risk behaviors. The purpose of AEP is to discourage underage drinking and to educate eligible participants as to the potential personal, social and legal risks of alcohol use. You must be between the ages of 17 and 20, have no significant prior criminal history, and have been charged with Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Open Container and/or Possession of False Identification. Offenders are only eligible to participate in AEP one time. After completion of the program, they may pay a fee for an Expungement Order which will clear the record as if he/she were never arrested.
TRAFFIC EDUCATION PROGRAM (TEP)
TEP was established in South Carolina to educate the driver while giving him/her the opportunity to have eligible tickets dismissed and keep a clean driving record. To be eligible you can have no outstanding points on driving record, tickets must be a point violation offense of 4 points or less, and have not participated in a TEP program before.
For information on enrolling in a diversion program, please contact the York County Solicitor’s office at 803/628-3028 or by visiting www.scsolicitor16.org
No requests for continuances will be considered on the day of your scheduled appearance in court.
Before you come to court, here are the things you should bring with you:
- Proper identification (driver's license, State ID, passport)
- Your copy of the citation
- Appearance letter and/or court documents
- Any receipts regarding your case (i.e., bond receipts, cash bail receipts, etc.)
- Any documents which prove compliance with the judge's orders and/or sentencing
- Method of payment (cash, money order, or cashiers' check)
- Do not use nicknames or an alias. Use the same spelling as listed on documents related to the case and ensure spelling on the documents is correct. If they are not, please advise the court
- Provide the court with your current address
- Appropriate dress is required. No obscene slogans on clothing, hats, or cell phones. Shirt and shoes are required
Warning
If you fail to appear in court as ordered, the court will issue a warrant for your arrest and you can be jailed and/or fined. For more information, comments, or questions contact us at (803) 3960 0033.
Directions
Court is held in the Philip T. Glennon Center (lower level) located at 15077 Molokai Drive, Tega Cay, SC 29708. Traveling on Gold Hill Road on to the peninsula, Gold Hill road becomes Tega Cay Drive. Continue on Tega Cay Drive until Molokai Drive (sign on Tega Cay Drive points to Golf Course & Restaurant). Turn left on to Molokai Drive. Take 1st left into parking lot of the Glennon Center. Entrance to the lower level of the Glennon Center is located at the far end of the parking lot near the water tower and tennis courts.
If you have received a summons to appear for jury duty on a specific day, please return required information within three days of receipt to the Clerk of Court.
Participation
If you are not able to participate in jury duty, please mail or fax a written request with supporting documentation (i.e., doctor note, airline reservations, etc.) stating you wish to be excused and the reason for your request to:Tega Cay Municipal Court
7705 Tega Cay Dr.
Tega Cay, SC 29708
-or-
Fax: (803) 548-7516
You will be notified by the Court if your request to be excused has been accepted. If you do not hear from the Court about being excused, you are expected to show for jury duty.
If you have asked for a non-jury trial and you have questions regarding this trial you may contact the Municipal Court Clerk at (803) 578-4155.
Staying Informed on Your Trial Status
Representing Yourself
If you are representing yourself and have not retained an attorney please inform the court of any address changes, phone number changes or other information that may be necessary to keep you informed of your trial's status.
Represented by Attorney
If you are being represented by an attorney or a public defender you must contact them for the information regarding your trial. If you are represented by a private attorney you must keep in contact with them for the status of your trial.
Subpoenas
A subpoena is a court order that requires a person to appear in court to give testimony or to present documents and related articles to be produced as evidence at a hearing. A process server or officer will serve a witness personally with a subpoena. The Judge may also ask a witness to appear voluntarily without serving a subpoena.
If you have received a subpoena, follow the instructions on it. Failing to follow a subpoena is considered contempt of court and a warrant may be issued for your arrest.
Warrants
If you fail to appear on your court date or comply with the court's orders, the municipal court judge can issue a warrant for your arrest. If you are stopped by an officer for any reason, the officer will arrest you and take you into custody.
For more information, comments, or questions contact us at (803) 396-0033.