South Carolina
South Carolina’s highest court is the Supreme Court of South Carolina. The court has four associate justices and one chief justice. The chief justice is selected according to the same procedures as their peers on the court. (Source: South Carolina Judicial Branch)
Judicial Selection
The legislature appoints justices to a 10-year term on the Supreme Court of South Carolina selected from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. Justices may stand for reappointment by the legislature to additional terms in the same appointment process. To fill an interim vacancy, the legislature votes to appoint a judicial candidate from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. If less than one year remains of the unexpired term the governor may appoint a candidate instead. The appointed justice serves the remainder of the unexpired term. There are no term limits. The mandatory retirement age is 72.
State Constitution
South Carolina has had seven state constitutions adopted between 1776 and 1895. As of January 1, 2022, it had 500 amendments. (Source: Council of State Governments)
Filters
Constitutional Amendment Processes in the 50 States
States offer multiple paths for amending their constitutions, which are much easier to change than the federal Constitution.
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Trends to Watch in State Abortion Litigation
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Florida Supreme Court Hears Pivotal Abortion Case
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South Carolina’s Supreme Court Backtracks on Reproductive Rights
The high court upheld a strict abortion ban just seven months after striking down a similar law.
Abortion and Original Jurisdiction
State supreme courts’ authority to bypass lower courts makes them key players in the fight over reproductive rights.
Catching Up with State Courts
State courts have had a busy summer, with key rulings on abortion, guns, and environmental rights.
Challenging Anti-Trans Legislation Under State Constitutions
Though advocates have found early success in federal courts, they may find even more effective ways to protect LGBTQ+ rights through state courts.