--- title: "Jerry F. Rivers | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jerry-f-rivers-magistrate-judge-florence-county-magistrate-court-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-27" --- # Jerry F. Rivers Florence County Magistrate Court · Magistrate Judge ## Profile - Court: Florence County Magistrate Court - State: South Carolina - Role: Magistrate Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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/magistrate-court/judges/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/magistrate-court/judges/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/magistrate-court/judges/) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jerry-f-rivers-magistrate-judge-florence-county-magistrate-court-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jerry-f-rivers-magistrate-judge-florence-county-magistrate-court-sc", "name": "Jerry F. 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Mullins, accused of a fatal hit‐and‐run in Florence County - Magistrate judge for the Florence County Summary Court in South Carolina, appointed in 2014 ### Education ### Additional information - Active magistrate in Florence County, SC, with a background in handling a wide range of cases, but his tenure has been marked by a 2021 six‐month suspension for disruptive conduct during a COVID‐19 court reopening meeting. - Rivers also noted Mullins did not qualify for a public defender and would need to hire counsel - handling civil, criminal, and traffic cases, including those at the Effingham Detention Center - The court found he failed to avoid impropriety, acted without due diligence, and did not cooperate with other judges and court staff - He remains on the bench and continues to preside over cases, including recent criminal matters