South Carolina Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement – 2026
Rule 502 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules governs judicial discipline: the Commission on Judicial Conduct, how complaints against judges are investigated and heard, the sanctions available, and incapacity proceedings.
Browse all 29 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.
Rule 502
Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement
Rule 2
Terminology
Rule 3
The Commission on Judicial Conduct
Rule 4
Organization and Authority of the Commission
Rule 5
Disciplinary Counsel
Rule 6
Commission Counsel
Rule 7
Grounds for Discipline; Sanctions Imposed; Deferred Discipline Agreement
Rule 8
Proof
Rule 9
Civil Rules Applicable
Rule 10
Right to Counsel
Rule 11
Ex Parte Contacts
Rule 12
Access to Disciplinary Information
Rule 13
Immunity from Civil Suits
Rule 14
Time, Service and Filing
Rule 15
Oaths; Subpoena Power
Rule 16
Judges Charged with or Convicted of a Crime
Rule 17
Interim Suspension
Rule 18
Notification to Complainant; Limited Right to Review
Rule 19
Screening and Investigation
Rule 20
Motion by Disciplinary Counsel to Re-open Dismissed Complaints
Rule 21
Discipline by Consent
Rule 22
Formal Charges
Rule 23
Answer
Rule 24
Failure to Answer; Failure to Appear
Rule 25
Discovery
Rule 26
Hearing
Rule 27
Review by Supreme Court
Rule 28
CASES INVOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF MENTAL ORPHYSICAL INCAPACITY AND/OR THE INABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A DISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATION OR ASSIST IN THE DEFENSE OF FORMAL PROCEEDINGS (a) Initiation of an Incapacity Proceeding or a Proceeding Involving the Inability to Participate in a Disciplinary Investigation or to Assist in the Defense of Formal Disciplinary Proceedings. An incapacity proceeding or a proceeding to determine whether a judge is unable to participate in a disciplinary investigation or assist in the defense of formal proceedings may be initiated:
Rule 29
Disciplinary or Incapacity Proceedings Against a Member of the Supreme Court