--- title: "M. S. McElhannon | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/m-s-mcelhannon-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-10-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # M. S. McElhannon South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 10 · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 10 - 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 - 2020–present: Family Court Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit - In 2017 he returned to the Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office until his election as Family Court Judge for the Tenth Judicial Circuit in February, 2020. - He has also spoken at juvenile justice seminars and in public school classrooms ### Education - Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Presbyterian College in 1984 and a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1988. ### Additional information - M. S. McElhannon returned to private practice in 2009 where he remained until 2015 when he became a litigation attorney and managing attorney for the Department of Social Services for Anderson and Oconee Counties. - In 2000 he became an Assistant Solicitor for the Tenth Judicial Circuit handling all juvenile cases in Family Court. - He graduated from T. L. Hannah High School in 1980, obtained a B.S. in Political Science from Presbyterian College in 1984, and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1988 - M. Scott McElhannon is a Family Court Judge for the 10th Judicial Circuit in South Carolina, covering Anderson County and Oconee County - After law school he began his practice in Beaufort, South Carolina, as an associate at Dowling, Sanders, Dukes, Svalina and Williams. - McElhannon was born in Atlanta, Georgia, into a military family, and grew up in Anderson, SC. - McElhannon has served on the Governor’s Youth Council, the Advisory Council for Anderson School District Five Family Center, and was a founding member of the Anderson County Juvenile Drug/Intervention Court. - Birth place: Judge McElhannon was born in Atlanta, Georgia, into a military family. ## 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/m-scott-mcelhannon/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/m-scott-mcelhannon/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/m-scott-mcelhannon/) - [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) - [M. Scott McElhannon](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/m-scott-mcelhannon) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/m-s-mcelhannon-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-10-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/m-s-mcelhannon-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-10-sc", "name": "M. S. McElhannon | KnowJudges", "description": "M. S. McElhannon, South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 10. 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