Judge Debra A. Matthews was born in Trenton, New Jersey. She is the daughter of the late Nancy Moscarello Sholtis and John Claude Sholtis of Texas. Her father is a retired residential builder. She was married for 28 years to the late Raymond R. Matthews, Sr., who was a residential home builder. They built their home in Fairfield County, where they raised their two sons, Raymond and Jody, who are also residential builders.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Stockton State University and Juris Doctorate degree in 1999 from Widener University in the State of Delaware.

After being admitted to practice in 2001, Debra opened a private practice in Winnsboro. As a general practitioner, she concentrated in civil and criminal litigation with a heavy emphasis on family law. Debra has served as guardian ad litem and as a contract attorney with the South Carolina Commission of Indigent Defense for vulnerable adults, abuse and neglect cases. She has handled a variety of family law cases. Her practice also entailed consumer bankruptcy filings in the United States Bankruptcy Court since 2002.

Judge Matthews was certified as a family court mediator and circuit court mediator in 2010. She is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in South Carolina. She is an active member of the community, having served on the Mid County Water Board, the 6th Judicial Circuit Public Defender Board and the Public Defender Selection Board. Debra has dedicated her time to the South Carolina Bar pro bono program and mock trial program. She also serves in her church, St Theresa’s in Winnsboro, on the finance committee.

Judge Matthews was elected on February 7, 2018, to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable W. Thomas Sprott, Jr. for the 6th Judicial Circuit, Family Court Seat 2.

Judge Matthews has been a member of the South Carolina Bar Association and Fairfield County Bar Association. Debra enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and their Bluetick hounds.