S.C. Senate approves additional judgeships

May 30, 2012

South Carolina: The South Carolina Senate has approved a bill that would create 9 new judgeships across the state. The Senate vote occurred on May 29. Although the process is not yet finished (it must be approved once more by the Senate, then by the House and Governor), the vote was a key step in the life of the bill.

The bill would create three new Circuit Court positions and six Family Court positions. The latest state budget includes an additional $2.9 million to fund the judgeships.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal is in favor of the additions, noting that South Carolina has the lowest number of judges per capita in the country. South Carolina judges receive, on average, 5,011 new cases per year--almost triple the national average of 1,791. Sen. Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee), the majority leader, is opposed to the bill.