--- title: "James C. Todd IV | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-c-todd-iv-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-8-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # James C. Todd IV South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 8 · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 8 - State: South Carolina - Role: Family 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 - Elected by the South Carolina General Assembly on February 2, 2025, Judge Todd was formally sworn in on March 13, 2025, at the Laurens County Courthouse - “Jim” Todd IV is a Family Court Judge for South Carolina’s 8th Judicial Circuit, elected by the South Carolina General Assembly on February 2, 2025, and sworn in on March 13, 2025 - Licensed to practice in all state courts, Federal District Court and The United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals - Licensed to practice in all state courts, the U.S. District Court, and the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ### Education - James C. Todd IV attended Presbyterian College, receiving a B.A. degree in Political Science in 2009. ### Additional information - handling domestic and family law cases such as child custody, domestic violence protection, and other sensitive matters. - His appointment underscores the state’s emphasis on experienced, community‐rooted judges in family law - The ceremony included remarks from fellow judges, state legislators, and community leaders, highlighting his intellect, experience, and the importance of the Family Court role - He succeeds a line of respected Family Court judges in Laurens, including Judges Bill Craine, Wyatt Saunders, Joe McGowan, and Matthew Turner - Judge Todd is a Presbyterian College alumnus and a member of the Kappa Alpha Order ## 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/family-court/judges/the-hon-james-c-todd-iv/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/the-hon-james-c-todd-iv/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/the-hon-james-c-todd-iv/) - [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) - [The Hon. James C. Todd, IV](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/the-hon-james-c-todd-iv) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-c-todd-iv-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-8-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-c-todd-iv-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-8-sc", "name": "James C. Todd IV | KnowJudges", "description": "James C. Todd IV, South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 8. 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