--- title: "Robert E. Newton | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-e-newton-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-11-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Robert E. Newton South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 11 · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 11 - 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 - On May 23, 2012, Newton was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly to serve as a Family Court judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit, Seat 3, which covers McCormick, Edgefield, Saluda, and Lexington counties. - Judge Newton is licensed to practice law in South Carolina, the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, and the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ### Education - University of South Carolina School of Law in — J.D. (1988) - obtained a Bachelor of Science in Finance, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina in 1986, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma. ### Additional information - He was active in professional organizations, including the South Carolina Association for Justice, the Lexington County Bar Association (serving as president in 2006), and the South Carolina Bar Resolution of Fee Dispute Board. - He graduated from Lexington High School in 1982 - Robert E. Newton was born in 1964 and raised in Lexington, South Carolina. - After law school, Newton entered private practice in Lexington, South Carolina - focusing on litigation with a strong emphasis on family law. - In this role, he presides over family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and related disputes - Over time, he specialized in mediation and arbitration of family court cases throughout the state. - He also contributed to public service through school improvement councils and other community committees ## 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/robert-e-newton/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/robert-e-newton/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/robert-e-newton/) - [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) - [Robert E. Newton - South Carolina Judicial Branch](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/robert-e-newton) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-e-newton-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-11-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-e-newton-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-11-sc", "name": "Robert E. Newton | KnowJudges", "description": "Robert E. Newton, South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 11. 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