Dillon County

Nathan R. Scales, Chief Public Defender
4th Judicial Circuit
122 N. MacArthur Ave.
Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 841-1123
Fax: (800) 670-6375
eMail: circuit4pdlane@att.net

Hours of Operation:  8:30 am – 5:00 pm (Monday-Thursday), 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (Friday)

Department Function
The 4th Circuit Public Defender Office provides legal representation qualifying individuals charged with criminal offenses in Dillon County.   The public defender’s office assists and defends indigent defenders in General Sessions court.

Apply for a Public Defender
If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for representation from the Public Defender’s Office. Applications for a Public Defender are accepted at the Clerk of Court’s Office.

Gwen T. Hyatt, Dillon County Clerk of Court
301 W Main St  | P. O Drawer 1220 | Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 774-1425
Fax: (843) 841-3706
Email: dilloncoc@bellsouth.net
Hours of Operation: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (Monday-Friday)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Public Defender?
A public defender is a licensed attorney that represents indigent defendants.

Do I qualify for a Public Defender?
The Clerk of Court uses guidelines set forth by the S.C. Court Administration to determine eligibility. Additionally, there is a $40.00 non-refundable application fee.

How do I apply for a Public Defender?
Typically, defendants are screened for a Public Defender after arrest. However, applications can be made at the York County Clerk of Court office or at the Municipal / Magistrate Court of jurisdiction.

What are the Court Dates I was given?
Every client receives two court dates upon release from jail. The first is an Initial Appearance date. It is usually about 6 weeks from your arrest date. This is the first time you will meet your public defender. By this time your public defender will usually have discovery on your case and be able to meaningfully discuss the case with you. You will also decide at this meeting whether to have a preliminary hearing. This is not a court date and you will not see a judge on this date. However it is very important to show up so that you can meet your public defender, they can learn about you and about your case, and they can talk to you about preliminary hearing. Although you generally would not be bench warranted for missing this first meeting (some exceptions do exist), you can waive important rights if you don’t appear. The second date is about 6 weeks after the initial appearance date. This is a bond returnable date. This meeting takes place during a court week, but you will not necessarily see a judge. If you miss this court date you can and likely will be bench warranted. So it is very important to be present, to provide a documented excuse if you absolutely cannot appear for any reason (extended hospital stay, severe illness, incarceration, etc.), and to reschedule your appearance as soon as possible if you miss this court date. This date exists to ensure that clients who are out on bond are still showing up to court as required. It is also an opportunity for your attorney to provide you with any updates or offers they might have for you at this time. If your case is ready to go in front of a judge you could do so that day, but generally, you will not see a judge at the bond returnable day.

What is discovery?
At the beginning of each case, your public defender will automatically request discovery on your behalf. Discovery generally consists of any information that the solicitor is required to turn over and could include incident reports, general sessions summaries, drug reports, videos, audio recordings, photos, or other things. We have a goal of receiving discovery by the initial appearance date so that we may discuss the discovery with you. If it is not in hand at that time, we may discuss discovery at a later meeting. Some discovery may be received after initial discovery (i.e. drug reports take a while to be completed and are not usually finished within 6 weeks, so we don’t normally receive those by initial appearance). Discovery is an ongoing process.

What is a preliminary hearing?
Preliminary hearing is a hearing to determine probable cause. At the preliminary hearing an officer will read out the incident or summary report in your case. Your attorney will have the opportunity to ask questions of the officer. However, the officer will likely not be an officer involved in your case, he simply reads the report and generally cannot answer any questions that are not answered in the report. You won’t testify. This is generally not an opportunity to present defenses or new evidence not contained within the report. After the report is read and any questions are answered, a magistrate judge will make a determination of whether or not there was probable cause to arrest you. If he finds probable cause, your case will continue. If he finds no probable cause the case will be dismissed, but may still be brought back by the solicitor if he or she decides to direct indict.

Many cases do not require a preliminary hearing because the standards are different from trial. Your public defender will help you make this determination. A request for preliminary hearing must be made on your initial appearance date or it is waived.

Additional Links:

• SC Commission On Indigent Defense

  Druscilla Blakely, Clerk To Council
Dillon County Administration
109 S 3rd Avenue
P.O Box 449
Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 774-1401
Fax: (843) 774-1443
Email: dblakely@dilloncountysc.org

County Council Meetings
Dillon County Council meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month beginning at 5 p.m. unless otherwise changed due to holidays. From time to time, Council approves a special called meeting. All special called meetings will be advertised in the local press and will also be posted on the County website and at the County Administration Building and Council Chambers.

2024 Dillon County Council Regular Called Meeting Schedule
Council Meets 4th Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Wednesday, December 18, 2024

County Council Meeting Place
County Council holds all meetings unless specified otherwise at the Dillon County Administration Building, Council Chambers, 109 S 3rd Avenue, Dillon, SC 29536

Requests To Address County Council
Should any person, group or organization request to be heard upon any matter at a regular or special meeting of Council, such person, group or organization shall submit a written request to the Chairman of County Council to place such matter on the agenda for the meeting at least seven (7) days prior to the date set for such meeting. The request shall specifically state the reason for the appearance.

The written request should be sent by USPS mail, hand delivered, or faxed to the Clerk to County Council. To make a request or for more information contact:

Druscilla Blakely, Clerk to Council
109 S 3rd Avenue
P.O Box 449
Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 774-1401
Fax: (843) 774-1443
Email: dblakely@dilloncountysc.org

2024 Council Agendas & Minutes

     February 6, 2024      Agenda  Minutes

2023 Council Agendas & Minutes

2022 Council Agendas & Minutes

 For agendas and minutes prior to 2022 you can click on the link below and go to the Dillon County Council Agendas & Minutes Archive Page.

• Agendas and Minutes Archive

The Dillon County Council has the power to create Boards and Commissions that assist the Council and staff with work important to the citizens of Dillon County.  Dillon County Council appoints members of each Board or Commission. Many Boards, Commissions, or Committees are created so that each of the 7 Council members appoint a member so that each of the 7 Districts of the County are represented.  Each Board, Commission, or Committee has its own mission, rules, and regulations as set and approved by County Council.  

The current Boards & Commission are:

• Dillon County Airport Commission
• Dillon County Library Board of Trustees
• Dillon County Planning Commission
• Dillon County Zoning Board of Appeals
• Dillon County Public-Private Economic Development Partnership Board
• Dillon County Transportation Committee
• Dillon County Conversation District

Interested In Serving On A County Board, Commission or Committee?
Any citizen of Dillon County can request and apply to serve on any of the Boards, Commissions, or Committees.  County Council has final say on those selected for each vacancy, but all applications will be reviewed and considered. If interested in serving on one of the Dillon County Boards, Commissions, or Committees contact your Council member or the Clerk To Council at:

Druscilla Blakely, Clerk To Council
Dillon County Administration
109 S 3rd Avenue
P.O Box 449
Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 774-1401
Fax: (843) 774-1443
Email: dblakely@dilloncountysc.org

County Council Member Contact Information