--- title: "Diane S. Goodstein | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/diane-s-goodstein-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-1-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Diane S. Goodstein South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 1 · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 1 - 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 - In September 2025, Judge Goodstein temporarily blocked the South Carolina election commission from releasing voter files to the Department of Justice, a decision that was later unanimously overruled by the South Carolina Supreme Court - Additionally, she held the role of the County Attorney for Dorchester County from 1986 to 1988 In May 1998, she was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly as a Resident Circuit Judge for the First Judicial Circuit, which covers Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties - Began her legal career as an associate at the law firm Goodstein, Bowling, Douglas & Phillips from 1981 to 1983 - Throughout her tenure, Judge Goodstein has been recognized for her fair and composed approach to the law ### Education - University of North Carolina School of Law in — J.D. (1981) ### Additional information - She has been re-elected multiple times, most recently in 2022 - She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor's degree in 1978 - Diane Schafer Goodstein was born in 1955 in Dillon, South Carolina. - handling high-profile and sensitive cases. ## 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/diane-schafer-goodstein/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/diane-schafer-goodstein/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/diane-schafer-goodstein/) - [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) - [Diane Schafer Goodstein](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/diane-schafer-goodstein) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/diane-s-goodstein-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-1-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/diane-s-goodstein-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-1-sc", "name": "Diane S. 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