---
title: "Thomas H. Hart III | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-h-hart-iii-municipal-judge-colleton-county-municipal-court-sc"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Thomas H. Hart III

Colleton County Municipal Court · Municipal Judge

## Profile

- Court: Colleton 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)

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## Biography

### Professional career


### Education

- Hart graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Furman University
- University of South Carolina School of Law — J.D.

### Additional information

- He has been a member of the South Carolina Bar since 1980 and is noted by the South Carolina Supreme Court as in good standing
- Appointed by the Edisto Beach Town Council following its August 14, 2025 meeting, with his term effective September 1, 2025.
- The Municipal Judge for the Town of Edisto Beach, South Carolina, appointed by the Town Council and sworn in on September 11, 2025
- He resigned from his role as Chairman of the Town’s Planning Commission to take on this judicial position
- Thomas H. Hart III is also listed as a Magistrate Judge with Hart Law Firm LLC in Edisto Island, SC, and is a member of the U.S. Virgin Islands Bar Association
- Thomas H. Hart III is a seasoned attorney and municipal judge serving the Town of Edisto Beach, bringing decades of legal experience to a role that handles local ordinance cases, minor criminal matters, and certain state-law offenses within the municipality

