---
title: "J. M. Hayes II | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-m-hayes-ii-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-sc"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# J. M. Hayes II

South Carolina Circuit Court · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: South Carolina Circuit Court
- 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

- J. Mark Hayes, II is an at-large judge of the South Carolina Circuit Court, Seat 5, elected by the South Carolina General Assembly on April 9, 2003, and re‐elected in 2015 and 2021
- Judge Hayes remained a partner in the Harrison, White, Smith, Hayes & Coggins, P.C. firm until his election to the bench in 2003
- He then joined Burts, Turner, Hammett, Harrison & Rhodes as an associate in 1985, becoming a partner in 1987
- In August of 1985 he entered private practice when he joined the law firm of Burts, Turner, Hammett, Harrison & Rhodes where he became a partner in 1987.
- Wofford College honors him through its Judge J. Mark Hayes Law Day Essay Contest and an endowed scholarship for law and public service students

### Education

- J. M. Hayes II attended public schools in Spartanburg and graduated cum laude from Wofford College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in May of 1980.

### Additional information

- He has received multiple honors, including the Outstanding Contribution to Justice Award (2018) and the Justice Claude A. Taylor Distinguished Service Award (2011)
- Elected to the South Carolina Circuit Court, At‐Large, Seat 5 in 2003, Hayes has handled a broad range of cases and maintained a strong interest in public school law.
- He later co‐founded Harrison & Hayes Law Firm (1991–2000) and Harrison, White, Smith, Hayes & Coggins, P.C. (2000–2003)
- overseeing a $10 million renovation in 2001.
- Judge Hayes began his legal career in 1984 as a clerk for the Honorable E.C. Burnett, III.
- Judge Hayes received his Juris Doctor in May of 1984.
- focusing on civil litigation and appellate work
- Harrison, established the Harrison & Hayes Law Firm.
- Coggins, Jr.
- While in law school, he worked for the Law Office of O. Fayrell Furr
- While in private practice, he served on the South Carolina Commission on Lawyer Conduct.
- Judge Hayes is admitted to practice in all South Carolina State Courts, U.S. District Courts of South Carolina, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
- Official site: South Carolina Judicial Branch – J. Mark Hayes, II
- Before and during his judicial tenure, Hayes served on the South Carolina Commission on Lawyer Conduct, was active in the American Bar Association, South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, and South Carolina School Board Lawyers Association.
- He chaired the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium Commission

## 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/j-mark-hayes-ii/)
- [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/j-mark-hayes-ii/)
- [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/j-mark-hayes-ii/)
- [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)
- [J. Mark Hayes, II](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/j-mark-hayes-ii)

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