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# Patrick C. Fant III

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

- Patrick Cleburne Fant III is a Circuit Court Judge, At Large, Seat Three of the South Carolina Circuit Court, elected by the South Carolina Legislature on February 8, 2023 to fill the unexpired term of Hon
- After law school, Fant held the role of a law clerk to Hon. C. Victor Pyle Jr., then practiced with Ellis, Lawhorne and Sims in Columbia before returning to Greenville to work for Haynsworth, Baldwin, Johnson & Greaves.

### Education

- University of South Carolina School of Law in — J.D. (1991)

### Additional information

- He later founded Fant Law Firm, P.A., which evolved into Fant & Gilbert Law Firm, P.A., and has practiced with Fant Law, P.A. since 2009
- Judge Fant was born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1965 to the late Patrick C. Fant Jr. and Sarah Lowe Fant.
- His appointment was made through the legislative election process used for South Carolina Circuit Court judges
- As a Circuit Court Judge, At Large, Fant presides over cases in the South Carolina Circuit Court system, which handles a wide range of civil and criminal matters at the trial level.

## 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/patrick-cleburne-fant-iii/)
- [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/patrick-cleburne-fant-iii/)
- [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/patrick-cleburne-fant-iii/)
- [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)
- [Official biography source for Patrick C. Fant III](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/patrick-cleburne-fant-iii)

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