South Carolina has a statewide Family Court system with jurisdiction over all matters involving family relationships and generally exclusive jurisdiction over minors under the age eighteen alleged to have violated any state law or municipal ordinance. However, most traffic, fish, and game law violations are still triable in the magistrate or municipal courts. Serious criminal charges may be transferred to the Court of General Sessions. A juvenile is a person who is under the age eighteen.  

When a juvenile violates the law, the Solicitor's Office will determine whether to prosecute the juvenile in Family Court, transfer the juvenile to the Court of General Sessions, refer the juvenile to a diversion program, or dismiss the juvenile’s case.