--- title: "Deadra L. Jefferson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/deadra-l-jefferson-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-9-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Deadra L. Jefferson South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 9 · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 9 - State: South Carolina - Role: Circuit Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Then elected as a Resident Circuit Judge for the 9th Judicial Circuit on May 30, 2001, a position she continues to hold - Began her judicial career as a Resident Family Court Judge for the 9th Judicial Circuit, elected by the South Carolina General Assembly on February 14, 1996, serving until 2001. - After law school, Jefferson held the role of a law clerk to Judge Richard E. Fields of the 9th Judicial Circuit from 1989 to 1990. - She then entered private practice with McFarland & Jenkins and later McFarland & Associates until her election to the bench ### Education - She then completed her Juris Doctor at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1989 and was admitted to practice law in South Carolina the same year - Bachelor of Arts in Politics and English from Converse College in 1985. ### Additional information - She attended Charleston public schools - Judge Deadra Jefferson is a highly experienced jurist with decades of service in South Carolina’s judicial system, recognized for her contributions to both the legal profession and her community. - Judge Jefferson has presided over high-profile cases, including a case in which she sentenced a defendant convicted of possessing nearly 1,900 images and videos of child sexual abuse to one day in jail, which sparked public debate and criticism from political figures such as Rep. - She is admitted to practice in all South Carolina courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina - Her career spans roles in family and circuit courts, with active engagement in professional associations and civic organizations - She is also a Fellow of the Liberty Fellowship Program - Jefferson has participated in numerous CLE and JCLE seminars and is active in her community, including membership in the Charleston chapter of Links, Inc. and the Life Center of Charleston. - She is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, Charleston County Bar Association, South Carolina Circuit Court Judges Association, and the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association. - Birth place: Charleston, South Carolina ## 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/circuit-court/judges/deadra-l-jefferson/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/deadra-l-jefferson/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/deadra-l-jefferson/) - [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) - [Deadra L. Jefferson - South Carolina Judicial Branch](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/deadra-l-jefferson) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/deadra-l-jefferson-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-9-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/deadra-l-jefferson-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-9-sc", "name": "Deadra L. Jefferson | KnowJudges", "description": "Deadra L. Jefferson, South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 9. 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