Judge James F. Fraley, Jr. was born in 1951 in Salisbury, North Carolina. His parents are James F. Fraley, Sr., deceased, and Amy Lyerly Fraley.

Judge Fraley attended the public schools of Faith, North Carolina and Spartanburg, South Carolina. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 1974. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1977 where he obtained his juris doctorate degree. In law school he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity and served one year on the legislative council.

After law school he practiced law in Spartanburg, South Carolina for twenty years. He practiced with the firm of Fraley, McChesney, and McChesney. Most of his practice was devoted to family law.

Judge Fraley was elected by the General Assembly of South Carolina to the position of resident Family Court Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in May 1998 where he continues to serve.

Judge Fraley has been a member of the Spartanburg County Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar, and the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association. He has served on the Children's Committee of the South Carolina Bar, on the Board of Directors for the Spartanburg County Public Defender, and as chair for the Family Court Committee of the Spartanburg County Bar Association. He is a former member of the Council for Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

He has coached youth softball for several years. He is a past member of the Civitan Club of Spartanburg, where he served on the Board of Directors. He is a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg where he has served as Deacon, Elder, Finance Committee Chair, Commitment Chair, Church Officer Nominating Committee Chair, Pulpit Nominating Committee Chair, adult Sunday School teacher, and youth group leader.

Judge Fraley married Margaret Karen Davis on October 19, 1985 and has one daughter, Amy Loretta Fraley, born July 29, 1987.