The court process, explained before you're standing in it

Most people meet the legal system through a piece of paper: a ticket, a summons, a jury notice, a letter from a clerk. The paper usually says what to do. It rarely says why, or what happens if you don't.

This section explains the steps of common legal processes in the order they happen, with the deadlines marked. We cover traffic and DUI cases, small claims, jury duty, court dates, public records and the administrative hearings that run beside some court cases. Much of our reporting starts in South Carolina, including Horry County, Conway and the Grand Strand, and we note clearly when a rule is state-specific.

What we don't do is tell you how your own case will turn out. A general guide can show you the map. A lawyer who knows your facts can tell you where you are on it.