Phillip W. Sears Jr. at a glance
- Current role
- Magistrate Judge
- Court
- Abbeville County Magistrate Court
- Jurisdiction
- South Carolina · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Phillip W. Sears Jr.
Magistrate Judge · Abbeville County Magistrate Court
Available research
Courtroom rules and guidance
Recording Broadcasting Photography
South Carolina Rule 605 generally prohibits courtroom broadcasting, televising, recording, and photography unless an exception or presiding-judge authorization applies.
the broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recesses between sessions is prohibitedSouth Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings ↗
Electronic Evidence Presentation
South Carolina Rule 605 permits the presiding judge to authorize electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation, record preservation, or judicial administration.
A presiding judge may authorize the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidenceSouth Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings ↗
Media Coverage Notice
South Carolina Rule 605 requires media representatives to give reasonable notice to the presiding judge when requesting courtroom coverage.
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 ↗
Remote Communication Technology
South Carolina Rule 612 authorizes the Supreme Court to provide by order for courts to use remote communication technology for proceedings.
the Supreme Court of South Carolina may provide for the use of remote communication technology by the courts of this State to conduct proceedingsSouth Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology ↗
Virtual And In Person Recording
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.
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 605Supreme Court of South Carolina Order: Recording of In-Person or Virtual Court Proceedings ↗
Sources
South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 27, 2026
https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/magistrate-court/judges/South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
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
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.sccourts.org/courtOrders/displayOrder.cfm?orderNo=2020-09-28-01