--- title: "William P. Keesley | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-p-keesley-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-11-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # William P. Keesley South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 11 · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 11 - 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 - Elected Resident Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of South Carolina, Seat 1, on May 8, 1991, to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable Hubert Long, retired - Engaged in private practice in Edgefield County from 1978 to 1991 - During this period, he also performed the duties of Public Defender for Edgefield, McCormick, and Saluda counties from 1983 to1987, and was Assistant Solicitor for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit from 1987 to 1988 - Current Role: Resident Judge, Seat 1, 11th Judicial Circuit - Official Court Page: South Carolina Judicial Branch – Judge William P. Keesley - Judge Keesley’s career spans legal practice, public defense, legislative service, and over three decades on the bench - Long‐serving circuit court judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina, which includes Edgefield, McCormick, Saluda, and Lexington counties ### Education ### Additional information - William P. Keesley received his Juris Doctorate degree from USC in 1978 and was subsequently admitted to the South Carolina Bar that same year. - After graduating from Strom Thurmond High School in 1971, the Judge attended Wofford College where he graduated summa cum laude in 1975. - Judge Keesley studied law at the University of South Carolina where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. ## 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-p-keesley/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/william-p-keesley/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/william-p-keesley/) - [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 P. Keesley](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/circuit-court/judges/william-p-keesley) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-p-keesley-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-11-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-p-keesley-circuit-court-judge-south-carolina-circuit-court-circuit-11-sc", "name": "William P. Keesley | KnowJudges", "description": "William P. Keesley, South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 11. 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