--- title: "William H. Seals Jr. | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-h-seals-jr-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-12-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # William H. Seals Jr. South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 12 · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 12 - State: South Carolina - Role: Circuit Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - At-large judge for the South Carolina Circuit Courts, Seat 6, serving since February 11, 2009, and currently holding a term that ends in 2027 - Judge Seals was elected as South Carolina Circuit Court Judge, At-Large Seat 6, on February 11, 2009, to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable James E. Lockemy - William Henry Seals Jr. was born in Marion County, South Carolina, in 1961 to the late William H. Seals (U.S. Marine Corps and attorney) and Melba Reid Seals - Thereafter, Judge Seals practiced law in Marion with James E - Judge Seals then attended the University of South Carolina in their MBA program when he decided the law was his calling ### Education - He graduated from Pee Dee Academy and Charleston Southern University in 1982, then earned his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law in 1990. ### Additional information - He was re-elected in 2015 and 2021 - In 2009, he was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly to fill the unexpired term of Judge James E. Lockemy. - From 1996 to 2009, he held the role of Municipal Court Judge for the City of Marion, where he received the Outstanding Public Service Award for leadership, integrity, and contributions to city government - Seals began his legal career in Marion, SC, practicing law with James E. Brogdon (1990–1995) and later as a sole practitioner until 2009. - Judge Seals graduated high school from Pee Dee Academy and from Charleston Southern University in 1982. - Seals, USMCR and attorney, and Melba Reid Seals. - South Carolina Judicial Branch — Judge William H. Seals Jr. profile - He also pursued an MBA at the University of South Carolina before deciding to pursue law - As an at-large Circuit Court judge, Seals presides over a variety of cases under the South Carolina Circuit Court system, which handles both civil and criminal matters. - Birth place: Marion County, South Carolina ## 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/william-h-seals-jr/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/william-h-seals-jr/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/william-h-seals-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) - [William H. Seals, Jr.](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/william-h-seals-jr) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-h-seals-jr-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-12-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-h-seals-jr-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-12-sc", "name": "William H. Seals Jr. | KnowJudges", "description": "William H. Seals Jr., South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 12. 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