Upstate judges were elected by the South Carolina legislature this week; what to know

Some new and familiar faces will take the bench in Upstate courtrooms as the South Carolina General Assembly elected new judges this week.

Two judge positions each in the judicial circuits covering Greenville and Spartanburg counties, as well as one in Anderson, were filled Wednesday, April 17.

South Carolina is one of two states, along with Virginia, that uses its legislature to choose judges. That process is done through the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, which could see changes if a Senate bill pending in the House passes this legislative session. The last day of session is May 9.

Circuit and appellate judges appointed by the commission serve six-year terms, while Supreme Court appointees serve 10-year terms before re-appearing before the commission. After being screened by the commission, currently up to three judicial candidates for one position are sent to be voted on by the House and Senate.

However, the bill aims to slash the length of time members sit on the commission. If passed, it would establish non-successive terms for commission members, many of whom are both legislators and lawyers.

In theory, this would limit judges from repeatedly appearing before the same lawyer-legislators on the commission, the Greenville News previously reported. However, some Upstate attorneys said the bill would be only a minor change to an acceptable system.

Exhaustive lists of judges across the state can be found on the South Carolina Judicial Branch’s website.

More: SC Senate passes judicial reform bill, Upstate lawyers say it’s a 'tweak' to fine system

Upstate Circuit Court judges

The 13th Judicial Circuit added two newcomers as circuit court judges. Jessica Ann Salvini arrives by way of Family Court and Vernon F. Dunbar currently practices at the firm of McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLC, according to information on the South Carolina Bar website.

The 7th judicial circuit, which covers Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties, filled two seats with one familiar face, and one familiar name. Judge Grace Gilchrist Knie was re-elected to fill the seat previously occupied by Roger Couch, which she has held since 2017. Meanwhile J. Derham Cole, Jr., will fill the seat occupied by his father, longtime 7^th circuit judge J. Derham Cole, Sr.

Cole Jr. told the Greenville News Thursday afternoon that the exact date of his father’s retirement is up in the air but will occur before the end of the calendar year.

The 10th Judicial Circuit, which covers Anderson and Oconee Counties, re-elected R. Scott Sprouse, who resides in Walhalla and has served since 2014 after succeeding Alexander Mcaulay.   William C. McMaster, III, of Greenville, was elected to an at-large seat. McMaster is a deputy solicitor with 13th judicial circuit solicitor Walt Wilkins’ office.

Court of Appeals

Of the two appellate judges elected this time around, one, Matthew Price Turner, of Laurens, was from the Upstate.

Family Court

Pete G. Diamaduros, of Spartanburg, was elected as a Family Court judge for the 7th judicial circuit. David J. Brousseau, of Anderson, was elected to the same position in the 10th judicial circuit.

Chalmers Rogland covers public safety for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal and USA Today Network. Reach him via email at crogland@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Here are the Upstate judges elected by the SC legislature this week