The South Carolina Judicial Department adopted two elderly people for Christmas this year.

The Supreme Court is considering the adoption of the attached Proposed Rule 38, SCRCP, Sealing Documents and Settlement Agreements.

The S.C. Judicial Department proved today that there is enough to share! Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals Judges, and SCJD Staff dug deep into their wallets and pantries to help feed the hungry and support their favorite team.

I FIND THAT Act No. 329 of 2002 amended S.C. Code Ann. § 38-53-70 (Supp. 2001), as amended, relating to bond estreatments when criminal defendants fail to appear for trial, so as to permit a surety to pay an estreatment in installments for up to six months, and to require a surety to pay a handling fee to the court of four percent of the value of the bond for that privilege. 

I FIND THAT upon a review of the process of the expungement of criminal records, a lack of uniformity statewide and a general misunderstanding of many applicants as to the appropriate procedure exists. The majority of the expungement process, which is primarily ministerial in nature but must be overseen by an attorney, is conducted by the solicitors offices statewide, with those offices receiving no compensation for the associated costs. 

The South Carolina Judicial Department under the leadership of Chief Justice Jean H. Toal has made great strides in achieving its goal of integrating technology at every level of court. Chief Justice Toal highlighted the accomplishments and shared her vision for the upcoming year with the SCJD Staff on Monday, November 4, 2002.

The Chief Justice has issued an administrative order requiring all original indictments returned by the grand jury be filed with the Clerk of Court.

On Thursday, November 7, 2002, The Supreme Court of South Carolina will hold arguments at the Greenville County Courthouse.

This certificate is to be used to show completion of the observation of the three contested custody merits hearings required by the South Carolina Private Guardian Ad Litem Reform Act, S. C. Code Ann. Section 20-7-1547(A)(5), effective January 15, 2003.

The Supreme Court has issued an order setting forth the testing requirements for individuals to become eligible for appointment as a magistrate

One panel of the Court of Appeals will hear its October cases in the new Judicial Center in Conway, Horry County.

The South Carolina Bench Book for Magistrates and Municipal Court Judges is now online.

To ensure that the practicing bar and the general public are aware of changes to the rules governing the practice of law and the rules governing practice and procedure in the trial courts of the State, the Court has determined that unless otherwise ordered, rule changes shall become effective on either March 1 or September 1 of each year.

Effective July 1, 2002, Act No. 329 of 2002 amended the Code of Laws by adding § 8-21-320, which requires a fee of $25.00 to be collected for every motion made in the Court of Common Pleas and Family Court.

Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal was interviewed by the Center for Digital Government earlier this month for its In The Arena column.

On July 22, 2002, the Chief Justice issued an order regarding funding of capital cases which is being sent to approximately 300 individuals involved in capital litigation . The order and an accompanying memorandum explain that information is being gathered regarding fees and expenses in all capital cases since 1993. The information will be examined and result in a report which will allow for standards to be established for trial judges who are asked to approve requests for funding in capital cases.

Act No. 281 of 2002 defines when a civil action is commenced. The Supreme Court seeks written comments regarding what changes, if any, should be made to the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure in light of this legislation.

Effective July 1, 2002, Rule 404, SCACR, will be amended. This rule governs the pro hac vice admission of attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions. A copy of the order, amended rule and application form is available.

Effective July 1, 2002, Rule 405, SCACR, will be amended. This rule provides for limited certificates to practice law for lawyers admitted in other jurisdictions who are employed by businesses in South Carolina.

The Supreme Court has promulgated changes to the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure which will be effective September 1, 2002.

Chief Justice Jean Toal presented the South Carolina Supreme Court’s special service award to law clerk, David Miller, in ceremonies at the Aiken County Courthouse today.

The South Carolina Bar has proposed amendments to Rule 1.15, Safekeeping Client Property, regarding the disbursement of funds, and the Terminology Section and Rule 8.5, SCRPC, Rule 407, SCACR, regarding applicability of the Rules of Professional Conduct to the provision of non-legal services. Written comments are solicited regarding these proposals.

The SCJD Web Team is pleased to announce two additions to the S.C. Judicial Department's website.

The South Carolina Reports contain the opinions of the Supreme Court of South Carolina and the South Carolina Court of Appeals. A notice soliciting proposals to publish the South Carolina Reports has been issued.

The circuit court schedule for the January - June of 2003 is now available on our website.

This case in the Court's original jurisdiction raises the questions of whether the attorney general has the authority to bring a civil action against the governor; whether a separation of powers violation has occurred; and whether the governor is required to send a balanced budget to the General Assembly.

The Supreme Court of South Carolina has amended Rule 402, SCACR, to limit admission to those who have received a JD or LLB from an ABA accredited law school.

The SCJD Web Team is pleased to announce the latest enhancement to the S.C. Judicial Department's website. The new roster system was developed in-house to specifically meet the needs of South Carolina's appellate courts.

The South Carolina Judicial Department, S.C. Supreme Court website has been selected as one of the most notable South Carolina State Government documents of 2001.

Chief Justice Jean H. Toal delivered her State of the Judiciary address to the General Assembly on March 6, 2002 at 12:00 noon. Her speech was broadcast live on the Internet and has been archived for later viewing.

On Tuesday, March 19, 2002, the Supreme Court of South Carolina will hold oral arguments at the Charleston County Historical Courthouse.

South Carolina Chief Justice Jean Toal announced today that the South Carolina Judicial Department has received a $3.2M appropriation under the federal Crime Identification Technology Act through the key support of Senator Fritz Hollings.

Chief Justice Toal is presenting to the S.C. Bar an overview of the South Carolina Judicial Department's technology initiatives.

The SCJD Web Team is very pleased to announce that our new calendar system for the South Carolina Judicial Department's website is now operational.