You must settle the case made against you in one of the following ways:

1. You must appear in court at the appointed time with your state issued drivers license if indicated in the violation block on the front side of the summons. 
2. You may post a cash bond with the appropriate trial court prior to the assigned date of trail. If you decide to mail in your bond rather go to the office mail money order, cashiers check or certified check directly to the trial court office before whom you are summoned to appear. the trial court name and address are are shown on the front side of the summons. DO NOT mail cash or personal check. Be sure to enclose with the bond the arresting officer’s name and the summons number.
3. You may appear in court on the assigned date and time and have a trial conducted by the Trial Judge.

The posting of bond before your assigned trial date does not affect your right to have a fair trial by the judge or, if you make a written request before your scheduled trial by jury. However, if you are not required to appear in court on the assigned trial date and have previously posted bond and do not appear on the trial date, you bond may be forfeited unless the judge has agreed to have your case heard at another time.

If you fail to post bond or personally appear in court on the assigned trial date, you will be tried in your absence and, if convicted, your home state’s Motor Vehicle Division will be notified to suspend your license until you have cleared this matter with the trial court. Additionally, a willful failure to appear or post bond is punishable as a separate offense by a fine of up to $200.00 or imprisonment of up to 30 days.

You may pay in person at the Coward Town Hall, located at 3720 US HWY 52 or mail your payment along with a copy of the ticket to PO Box #67, Coward, SC 29530. Personal checks are NOT accepted for payment for traffic. The only acceptable forms of payment are cash, certified checks or money orders. The Clerk of Court window is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

On your copy of the citation is the time and date which was set for your court date.  If you wish to contest the citation, you will be afforded the opportunity at that time to enter a plea and request either a bench trial (trial by judge) or a jury trial (trial by a jury of citizens selected from within the town limits of Coward.)

Proper attire is required for court room appearances. No hats, sunglasses, house shoes, pajamas, clothing with obscene language or inappropriate graphics. Underwear / undergarments will not be exposed. Dress code will be enforced.

Come to the Coward Police Department, located at 3720 US HWY 52. Reports are free of charge for the victims of crimes.

The cost of the Police report is $5.

Be sure to bring a state-issued ID/license. You must be able to provide information about the report you are requesting, such as incident, location, date, time, victim, suspect, etc.

• Speeding; (1-10 mphs over; $76.88 & 2 points / 11-15 mph over; $128.75 & 4 points / 16-25 mph over; $180.63 & 4 points / 25 + mph over; $440.00 & 6 points)
• Seatbelt Violation; $25.00
• Faulty Equipment (i.e. cracked windshield); $232.50
• Disregard Stop Sign; $232.50 & 4 points

No – The primary aim of traffic law enforcement is to reduce traffic accident, injury and deaths through fair, impartial and reasonable enforcement of the laws. Police officers have discretion in their enforcement of most traffic regulations. Certain offenses require custodial arrest thus negating officers’ ability to issue warnings.

For non-emergencies, questions, or comments, call us at (843) 389-2585 or email bmoore@townofcoward.org or Facebook Coward Police Department.