--- title: "Russell A. DeMott | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/russell-a-demott-magistrate-judge-dorchester-county-magistrate-court-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-27" --- # Russell A. DeMott Dorchester County Magistrate Court ยท Magistrate Judge ## Profile - Court: Dorchester County Magistrate Court - State: South Carolina - Role: Magistrate 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/magistrate-court/judges/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/magistrate-court/judges/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/magistrate-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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/russell-a-demott-magistrate-judge-dorchester-county-magistrate-court-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/russell-a-demott-magistrate-judge-dorchester-county-magistrate-court-sc", "name": "Russell A. DeMott | KnowJudges", "description": "Russell A. DeMott, Dorchester County Magistrate Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-27", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/russell-a-demott-magistrate-judge-dorchester-county-magistrate-court-sc#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/russell-a-demott-magistrate-judge-dorchester-county-magistrate-court-sc#judge", "name": "Russell A. DeMott", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/russell-a-demott-magistrate-judge-dorchester-county-magistrate-court-sc", "jobTitle": "Magistrate Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Dorchester County Magistrate Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/magistrate-court/judges/" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "South Carolina", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/south-carolina" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Russell A. DeMott", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/russell-a-demott-magistrate-judge-dorchester-county-magistrate-court-sc" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Licensed to practice law in both South Carolina and Michigan Previously, DeMott held the role of an Associate Probate Judge for Dorchester County Probate Court from 2011 to 2017, where he handled probate matters and estate administration. - He is also certified as a mediator by the South Carolina Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification for both Circuit Court and Probate Court cases ### Education ### Additional information - He has a long-standing legal career, having graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1993 and practicing law since 1995, specializing in estate planning, bankruptcy, and foreclosure defense. - Russell DeMott currently serves as a part-time Magistrate Judge for Dorchester County and also presides over the Dorchester County Drug Court. - His current role as a Magistrate Judge involves handling criminal and traffic offenses, small claims, evictions, restraining orders, bail hearings, and preliminary hearings within Dorchester County