---
title: "Matthew P. Pinckney | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Matthew P. Pinckney

Greenwood County Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Greenwood County Municipal Court
- State: South Carolina
- Role: Municipal 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/municipal-court/judges/)
- [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/municipal-court/judges/)
- [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/municipal-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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Before founding his firm in 2009, he served as a City Prosecutor and general practice attorney
- U.S. Department of Defense legal advisor for USSOUTHCOM in Colombia, advising on international law and criminal justice reform
- U.S. Army Captain and judge advocate with the South Carolina Army National Guard, currently on a year‐long tour as a legal attaché in Bogotá, Colombia for the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)

### Education



### Additional information

- handling hundreds of criminal cases, conducting trials, and arguing appeals
- His international legal work and courtroom experience have positioned him as a trusted advocate in both U.S. and foreign judicial contexts
- Licensed in South Carolina and Pennsylvania, and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and multiple federal district courts, he has handled serious felony cases, constitutional claims, and immigration issues
- Also the Founding and Managing Partner of Pinckney Law, a South Carolina‐based firm focusing on federal and state criminal defense, immigration law, and civil rights matters.
- In this role, he acts as legal advisor to U.S. military leadership in Colombia, supports operational law reform, human rights initiatives, and counter‐terrorism prosecutions, and participates in judicial exchanges with Colombian military and police leaders

