Gerald C. Smoak Jr. at a glance
- Current role
- Family Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- South Carolina · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Gerald C. Smoak Jr.
Family Court Judge · South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 14
Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.
Available research
Biography and careerSource-attributed professional, judicial, and education record
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures5 sourced items · labeled by scope
SourcesOfficial and public records supporting this profile
Biography
Professional career
- Gerald C. Smoak Jr. also served as the Public Defender for the City of Walterboro from 1985 to 1995, The Fourteenth Circuit assistant Solicitor for prosecuting DSS Child Abuse and Neglect cases, 1984 to 1993, and 1994 - 1995, Part-time Public Defender for Colleton County for conflict cases 1993 to 1995, and Part-time teacher for the Technical College of the Lowcountry paralegal courses from 1986 to 1994.
- Gerald C. Smoak Jr. then went into private practice from 1984 to 1995.
- After law school, he was the law clerk to the Honorable William T. Howell from 1983 to 1984.
Judicial service
- Gerald C. Smoak Jr. was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly to the position of Family Court Judge, Seat #1 for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit and took office July 1, 1995 where he has served continuously since.
Education
- Gerald C. Smoak Jr. graduated from USC School of Law in 1983 with his juris doctorate degree.
- Gerald C. Smoak Jr. received his bachelor's degree in 1980 from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
- Gerald C. Smoak Jr. also served as the Public Defender for the City of Walterboro from 1985 to 1995, The Fourteenth Circuit assistant Solicitor for prosecuting DSS Child Abuse and Neglect cases, 1984 to 1993, and 1994 - 1995, Part-time Public Defender for Colleton County for conflict cases 1993 to 1995, and Part-time teacher for the Technical College of the Lowcountry paralegal courses from 1986 to 1994.
- After law school, he was the law clerk to the Honorable William T. Howell from 1983 to 1984.
- Gerald C. Smoak Jr. was a member of the Moot Court Bar while in law school.
Personal record
Smoak, Jr. was born in Walterboro, South Carolina in 1959.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
South Carolina Rule 605 generally prohibits courtroom broadcasting, televising, recording, and photography unless an exception or presiding-judge authorization applies.
the broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recesses between sessions is prohibitedSouth Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings ↗
Exhibits
Statewide
South Carolina Rule 605 permits the presiding judge to authorize electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation, record preservation, or judicial administration.
A presiding judge may authorize the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidenceSouth Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings ↗
Media Coverage Notice
Statewide
South Carolina Rule 605 requires media representatives to give reasonable notice to the presiding judge when requesting courtroom coverage.
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 ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
South Carolina Rule 612 authorizes the Supreme Court to provide by order for courts to use remote communication technology for proceedings.
the Supreme Court of South Carolina may provide for the use of remote communication technology by the courts of this State to conduct proceedingsSouth Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology ↗
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.
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 605Supreme Court of South Carolina Order: Recording of In-Person or Virtual Court Proceedings ↗
Sources
South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 27, 2026
View South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
View South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings ↗South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology
Statewide source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
View South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology ↗Supreme Court of South Carolina Order: Recording of In-Person or Virtual Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Court of South Carolina Order: Recording of In-Person or Virtual Court Proceedings ↗