---
title: "Paul M. Burch | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paul-m-burch-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-4-sc"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Paul M. Burch

South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 4 · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 4
- 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

- Following the election of his son, Paul Michael “Mike” Burch Jr., as solicitor of the Fourth Circuit—which includes Chesterfield, Dillon, Darlington, and Marlboro counties—the South Carolina Supreme Court issued an order barring Judge Burch from presiding over any criminal cases or civil cases involving the solicitor’s office in that circuit, effective January 1, 2025
- From 1980 to 1991, he practiced law as a partner in the firm Henderson, Spencer and Burch and served eight years as Pageland Town Attorney
- Highly experienced South Carolina judge with decades of service in law enforcement, legislative work, and the judiciary
- The first graduate in Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster and later held the role of a criminal justice instructor there for over twelve years

### Education

- Associate, Bachelor, Master and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of South Carolina

### Additional information

- South Carolina Circuit Court since 1991
- Elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1988 and served on the Judiciary Committee until being elected to the bench in 1991
- He was elected to the Chesterfield County Council in 1982 and became vice-chairman in 1984
- 8 years as Pageland Town Attorney and was elected to the Chesterfield County Council in 1982
- Before entering the judiciary, Burch served in the Pageland Police Department — 1970–1976, including two years as Lieutenant-Assistant to the Chief
- Judge Paul M. Burch was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1954 and is a lifelong resident of Pageland, South Carolina
- Birth place: Burch was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1954
- Judge Burch is married, has three children and is a member of Pageland United Methodist Church, having served as Chairman of the Administrative Board and Trustee
- Judge Burch attended public schools in Pageland
- He has participated in the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, held the role of Vice President of Region III of the Circuit Court Judges Association, and acted as a regional representative to the American Bar Association
- Ninth-generation South Carolinian and a descendant of John Burch, who settled in the state in 1684
- He is a past master of Mt
- He is a member of both the South Carolina Bar Association and the Chesterfield County Bar Association
- He was also Regional Vice Chairman of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association for two years

## 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/paul-m-burch/)
- [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/paul-m-burch/)
- [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/paul-m-burch/)
- [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)
- [Paul M. Burch](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/paul-m-burch)

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