---
title: "Scott Rankin | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/scott-rankin"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Scott Rankin

Muskingum County Court · County Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Muskingum County Court
- State: Ohio
- Role: County Court 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

### remote hearing exhibits

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance tells courts to include instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses when remote-hearing information is sent to participants.

Evidence excerpt: Instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote hearing ground rules

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance recommends advance ground rules for documents, exhibits, screen sharing, and pre-marking exhibits for remote hearings.

Evidence excerpt: Documents: Share any documents/exhibits that will be reviewed in advance. Use the share screen function while documents are being discussed during the hearing. Request that the documents are pre-marked for exhibit purposes.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote recording

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance states that litigants, attorneys, and the public should be instructed not to record the hearing.

Evidence excerpt: The court should instruct the litigants, attorneys, and the public to not record the hearing.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Official roster](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Ohio Judicial Conference Directory official judicial roster](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge Rankin has held multiple legal positions, including Kershaw County Public Defender from 1998 to 2001 and part-time Magistrate for Kershaw County from 2006 to 2019.
- From 1995, he operated his own law practice in Camden
- Early in his career, he held the role of a law clerk for Jack B. Swerling and worked as an associate at D. Kenneth Baker, P.A. in Darlington
- Beyond his legal career, Judge Rankin has been highly active in the Kershaw County community

### Education

- University of South Carolina School of Law in — J.D. (1993)
- University of North Carolina in — B.A. (1988)

### Additional information

- He is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association and the Kershaw County Bar Association, where he held the role of President from 1995 to 1997.
- Judge Michael Scott Rankin was born in 1965 in Wilson, North Carolina, and grew up in Gastonia and Lincolnton, North Carolina.
- focusing on Family Law and Personal Injury, and also held the role of a Guardian ad Litem and certified Family Court Mediator
- His judicial role currently includes presiding over Family Court matters, leveraging his extensive experience in family law and mediation
- His church involvement includes teaching Sunday School and serving on multiple committees at Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church
- He has served on boards and committees for organizations such as the United Way of Kershaw County, Habitat for Humanity, the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County, and the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce.
- He also co-founded the Camden High School Hall of Fame and has been involved with the Camden Bulldog Club.