South Carolina Supreme Court

The South Carolina Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The court is composed of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices.^[1][2]

Selection of Justices

Judges are selected by the legislature of South Carolina to serve terms of ten years.^[2][3] There is no prohibition against justices serving multiple terms on the court.^[3] However, there is a mandatory retirement age of 72 for state trial judges and state appellate judges in South Carolina.^[4]

Current Justices of the Court

• Chief Justice Jean H. Toal
• Justice Costa Pleicones
• Justice Donald W. Beatty
• Justice John W. Kittredge
• Justice Kaye Gorenflo Hearn

Jurisdiction

The court enjoys both original and appellate jurisdiction. It enjoys exclusive appellate jurisdiction for all state cases regarding the death penalty, state utility rates, judgments involving public bonded indebtedness and elections, and orders limiting state grand juries and relating to abortions by minors. Original jurisdiction pertains to the issuance writs including mandamus, certiorari, and extraordinary bills.^[5]

Additional Charges of the Court

The South Carolina Supreme Court oversees the admission of individuals to practice law in the state.^[6] Much of the administration regarding admissions and practice is delegated to the South Carolina Bar, established by statute as an administrative arm of the court; however, the court retains ultimate authority in South Carolina governing the practice of law.^[7] It also supervises the disciplining of attorneys and suspension of those no longer able to practice due to mental or physical condition.^[6]

History

The South Carolina Supreme Court building is located in the state capital of Columbia. The court moved into its current location, a former United States Post Office building, in 1971.^[8] The building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972.^[9] Prior to 1971, the court met in a section of the South Carolina State House in an area totaling approximately 1,400 square feet (130 m²); the justices did not have individual offices, but instead met in a common conference room when not presiding over a session of court.^[8]

From 1930 to 2009, the South Carolina Supreme Court has had 16 Chief Justices, including the state's first female Chief Justice, Jean H. Toal.^[8]

See also

South Carolina South Carolina Bar

References

1. ^ S.C. Const. art. V, § 2
2. ^ ^{a b} S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-10
3. ^ ^{a b} S.C. Const. art. V, § 3
4. ^ S.C. Code Ann. § 9-8-60(1)
5. ^ S.C. Code Ann. § § 14-3-310 to -330
6. ^ ^{a b} S.C. Const. art. V, § 4
7. ^ S.C. Code Ann. § 40-5-20
8. ^ ^{a b c} Littlejohn, Bruce Littlejohn's South Carolina Judicial History: 1930-2004, Joggling Board Press, Charleston, SC (2005). ISBN 0-9753498-6-4
9. ^ nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com. "Supreme Court of South Carolina Building (added 1972 - Building - #72001220)". SOUTH CAROLINA - Richland County. http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/SC/Richland/state3.html. Retrieved 3 January 2010. 

External links

• South Carolina Supreme Court