--- title: "Thomas L. Hughston Jr. | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-l-hughston-jr-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-8-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Thomas L. Hughston Jr. South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 8 · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 8 - State: South Carolina - Role: Circuit Court Judge - Service status: recalled - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Nicholson, he was elected as Resident Circuit Judge, Eighth Judicial Circuit on February 20, 1985, and served until he retired on June 30, 1998 - Thomas L. Hughston, Jr. is a retired but active circuit court judge for South Carolina’s Eighth Judicial Circuit, which covers Abbeville, Greenwood, Newberry, and Laurens counties - Before joining the judiciary, Hughston practiced law in private practice, held the role of City Judge for Greenwood, and worked as Public Defender for Greenwood and Abbeville counties. ### Education - Thereafter, he graduated from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1968. - He attended The Citadel, graduating in 1965 with a B.A. in Political Science, and later earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1968 - Many courses at the National Judicial College and all required course work for a Master of Judicial Studies Degree from the University of Nevada – Reno. - Thomas L. Hughston Jr. officiated high school and college football for 30 years. ### Additional information - From 1977 to 1985, Hughston served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he was vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee and a member of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission. - He received the Distinguished Service Award from the South Carolina Municipal Association in 1981 - Born July 25, 1943 in Spartanburg, SC, Hughston grew up in Greenwood, where he graduated from Greenwood High School and held the role of student body president. - Birth place: Judge Thomas Leslie Hughston, Jr. was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on July 25, 1943. - Also, he worked at various times as a Judge for the City of Greenwood and as the Public Defender for Greenwood and Abbeville Counties. - Also active in civic, religious, and educational organizations, including the Alston Wilkes Society and as a 30-year high school and college football official - He is the son of T. ## 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/circuit-court/judges/thomas-l-hughston-jr/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/thomas-l-hughston-jr/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/thomas-l-hughston-jr/) - [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) - [Thomas L. Hughston, Jr.](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/thomas-l-hughston-jr) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-l-hughston-jr-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-8-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-l-hughston-jr-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-8-sc", "name": "Thomas L. Hughston Jr. | KnowJudges", "description": "Thomas L. Hughston Jr., South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 8. 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