R. K. Griffin at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Court Judge
- Court
- South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 3
- Jurisdiction
- South Carolina · State
- Judicial service
- Active
R. K. Griffin
Circuit Court Judge · South Carolina Circuit Court, Circuit 3
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- While in private practice, he also served as a contract public defender in Sumter County.
- In 2011, he was promoted to Deputy Solicitor, and served in that capacity until his election to the bench.
- In 2007, Judge Griffin was hired as an Assistant Solicitor with the Third Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
- In 2004, he and two other attorneys formed the law firm of Bryan, Horne, and Griffin, LLC.
- Cooper, Jr. After his clerkship, he was an associate for the Bryan Law Firm in Sumter, SC.
- R. K. Griffin practiced in the areas of civil litigation, workers’ compensation and further served as a part time prosecutor for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
- After graduation from law school, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Thomas W.
- Judge Griffin remained in private practice until 2007.
Judicial service
- In 2011, he was promoted to Deputy Solicitor, and served in that capacity until his election to the bench.
- Judge Griffin was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly as Circuit Court Judge, at large, Seat Two, on February 6, 2019, to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable R. Markley Dennis.
- Judge Griffin began his service on the bench on January 2, 2020.
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/circuit-court/judges/r-kirk-griffin/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