--- title: "R. K. Griffin | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-k-griffin-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-3-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # R. K. Griffin South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 3 · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 3 - 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 - R. Kirk Griffin is an at‐large Circuit Court Judge for South Carolina, elected in 2019 and re‐elected in 2021, serving until 2027 - Elected by the South Carolina General Assembly as Circuit Court Judge, at large, Seat Two, on February 6, 2019, to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable R. Markley Dennis - In 2007, Judge Griffin was hired as an Assistant Solicitor with the Third Circuit Solicitor’s Office - Partner — Bryan, Horne & Griffin, LLC (2004–2007) - Practiced in the areas of civil litigation, workers’ compensation and further served as a part time prosecutor for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office - Judge Griffin serves Seat 2 of the South Carolina Circuit Court, an at‐large position covering the entire state - While in private practice, he also served as a contract public defender in Sumter County - After graduation from law school, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Thomas W. ### Education - University of South Carolina School of Law in — J.D. (2000) - Judge Griffin graduated from Wofford College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government ### Additional information - He was re‐elected on February 3, 2021 for a term ending in 2027 - Began his service on the bench on January 2, 2020. - Elected by the South Carolina General Assembly on February 6, 2019 to fill the unexpired term of Hon. R. Markley Dennis, and began his service on January 2, 2020. - In 2011, he was promoted to Deputy Solicitor, and served in that capacity until his election to the bench. - Judge Griffin remained in private practice until 2007. - In 2004, he and two other attorneys formed the law firm of Bryan, Horne, and Griffin, LLC. - Cooper, Jr. - South Carolina Judicial Branch: Judge R. Kirk Griffin Profile - His legal practice areas included civil litigation and workers’ compensation - While in law school, he served on the South Carolina Environmental Law Journal editorial staff ## 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/r-kirk-griffin/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/r-kirk-griffin/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/r-kirk-griffin/) - [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) - [R. Kirk Griffin](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/r-kirk-griffin) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-k-griffin-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-3-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-k-griffin-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-3-sc", "name": "R. K. Griffin | KnowJudges", "description": "R. K. Griffin, South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 3. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-k-griffin-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-3-sc#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-k-griffin-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-3-sc#judge", "name": "R. 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