The Supreme Court of South Carolina

Re:  Circuit Court Schedule and Judicial Travel

ORDER

Pursuant to the provisions of Article V, Section 4 of the South Carolina Constitution,

IT IS ORDERED that all Circuit Judges shall return to their home circuits where they shall follow the directives regarding court hearings as outlined in my Trial Courts Coronavirus Memorandum dated March 16, 2020. 

Unless otherwise ordered, only emergency hearings shall be held at the discretion of each Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes.  In the event that any circuit is without a judge for any period of time, due to previously scheduled leave or illness, the Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes shall notify Judges’ Scheduling at Court Administration so that another judge can be assigned to address any emergencies which may arise. 

Until further ordered, all Circuit Court Judges shall only preside over emergency hearings in their home circuit beginning March 23, 2020 unless they receive an Order assigning them to hold court outside of their circuit.  Any circuit judge who is serving as a Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes in a circuit other than that of their residence, may hold emergency hearings in both their circuit of residence as well as the circuit in which they serve as Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes.

All previously scheduled terms of court from March 23, 2020 through May 1, 2020 are hereby canceled, and all judges who are not assigned to vacation, official leave or an Administrative Week shall be assigned to chambers. 

Columbia, South Carolina
March 18, 2020