--- title: "Dale Atkinson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/dale-atkinson-probate-judge-sumter-county-probate-court-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Dale Atkinson Sumter County Probate Court · Probate Judge ## Profile - Court: Sumter County Probate Court - State: South Carolina - Role: Probate Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Dale Atkinson is the elected Probate Judge for Sumter County, South Carolina, serving since 2003 and re‐elected in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 - Elected Probate Judge of Sumter County in November 2002 and began his term on January 1, 2003 - Before becoming a judge, Atkinson served 27 years as an officer with the Sumter Police Department, retiring in 2002 at the rank of Major. ### Education ### Additional information - He graduated from Sumter High School in 1973, obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from St. Leo University, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Troy State University - Born in Sumter, SC in 1955, Atkinson is the son of the late Harry and Jeanette Atkinson. - Birth place: Sumter, S.C ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording broadcasting photography Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 605 generally prohibits courtroom broadcasting, televising, recording, and photography unless an exception or presiding-judge authorization applies. Evidence excerpt: the broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recesses between sessions is prohibited [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic evidence presentation Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 605 permits the presiding judge to authorize electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation, record preservation, or judicial administration. Evidence excerpt: A presiding judge may authorize the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### media coverage notice Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 605 requires media representatives to give reasonable notice to the presiding judge when requesting courtroom coverage. Evidence excerpt: Media representatives must give reasonable notice to the presiding judge of a request to cover a proceeding. [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote communication technology Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 612 authorizes the Supreme Court to provide by order for courts to use remote communication technology for proceedings. Evidence excerpt: the Supreme Court of South Carolina may provide for the use of remote communication technology by the courts of this State to conduct proceedings [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-612/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### virtual and in person recording Scope: statewide South Carolina's statewide order prohibits photographing, recording, or streaming live, virtual, or broadcasted court proceedings unless the presiding judge specifically authorizes it under Rule 605. Evidence excerpt: taking still photographs, recording (visual or audio), or streaming of any live, virtual, or subsequently broadcasted court proceeding is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized by the presiding judge pursuant to Rule 605 [Supreme Court of South Carolina Order: Recording of In-Person or Virtual Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/courtOrders/displayOrder.cfm?orderNo=2020-09-28-01) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/probate-court/judges/dale-atkinson/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/probate-court/judges/dale-atkinson/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/probate-court/judges/dale-atkinson/) - [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) - [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-612/) - [Supreme Court of South Carolina Order: Recording of In-Person or Virtual Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/courtOrders/displayOrder.cfm?orderNo=2020-09-28-01) - [Official biography source for Dale Atkinson](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/probate-court/judges/dale-atkinson) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/dale-atkinson-probate-judge-sumter-county-probate-court-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/dale-atkinson-probate-judge-sumter-county-probate-court-sc", "name": "Dale Atkinson | KnowJudges", "description": "Dale Atkinson, Sumter County Probate Court. 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