--- title: "Sara Russell | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sara-russell-municipal-judge-york-county-municipal-court-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-27" --- # Sara Russell York County Municipal Court · Municipal Judge ## Profile - Court: York County Municipal Court - State: South Carolina - Role: Municipal 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/municipal-court/judges/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/municipal-court/judges/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/municipal-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/sara-russell-municipal-judge-york-county-municipal-court-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sara-russell-municipal-judge-york-county-municipal-court-sc", "name": "Sara Russell | KnowJudges", "description": "Sara Russell, York County Municipal Court. 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Conn. (since Dec. 20, 2024) - Sarah French Russell is an American lawyer, academic, and United States District Judge for the , confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 19, 2024 and commissioned by President Joe Biden on November 26, 2024 - From 2011 until her judicial appointment, she was Professor of Law and Director of the Civil Justice Clinic at Quinnipiac University School of Law - From 2007 to 2010, Russell was a lecturer in law and Director of the Arthur Liman Public Interest Program at Yale Law School, teaching criminal defense, prison legal services, and Supreme Court advocacy clinics - Yale Law School faculty, Quinnipiac University law professor, Assistant Federal Public Defender ### Education - Yale Law School in — J.D. (2002) - Yale College in — B.A. (1998) ### Additional information - The Senate Judiciary Committee reported her nomination out in a 11–10 party-line vote on November 30, 2023, and the full Senate confirmed her 50–44 on November 19, 2024 - President Biden nominated Russell on October 4, 2023 to replace Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam, elevated to the 2nd Cir. in 2022 - She then served as Assistant Federal Public Defender for the (2005–2007) - Born: 1976, Boston, MA - Notable - She also served as counsel to the Federal Grievance Committee for the D. Conn. and as a member of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission and Judicial Ethics Committee - After law school, she clerked for Chief Judge Michael B. Mukasey (S.D.N.Y.) and Judge Chester J. Straub (2nd Cir.)