The Untouchables

Investigating South Carolina’s Judges

South Carolina’s judges are some the most powerful, but least scrutinized officials in the criminal justice system, thanks in part to the state’s skewed selection system and the veil of secrecy surrounding complaints against them.

Impact of Our Reporting

Facing New Complaint, South Carolina Magistrate Removed as County’s Chief Judge

by Joseph Cranney and Avery G. Wilks, The Post and Courier

July 9, 2021, 5:00 am EDT

South Carolina’s Governor Addresses Magistrate Judge Controversy by Urging Changes

by Joseph Cranney, The Post and Courier

January 15, 2021, 12:30 pm EST

Magistrate Judges Took Bribes, Stole Money and Mishandled Cases. South Carolina Officials Now Want Reform.

by Joseph Cranney, The Post and Courier

January 5, 2021, 5:00 am EST

We Investigated Magistrates. Now, Lawmakers Want to Overhaul the System.

by Joseph Cranney, The Post and Courier

December 11, 2019, 5:00 am EST

8 stories published since 2019

This Judge Is Married to the Sheriff. Ethics Complaints Have Piled Up.

by Joseph Cranney, The Post and Courier

December 5, 2019, 5:00 am EST
He Defended the Confederate Flag and Insulted Immigrants. Now He’s a Judge.

by Joseph Cranney, The Post and Courier

November 29, 2019, 5:00 am EST
These Judges Can Have Less Training Than Barbers but Still Decide Thousands of Cases Each Year

by Joseph Cranney, The Post and Courier

November 27, 2019, 5:00 am EST
Have a Complaint About a South Carolina Judge? Help Us Investigate.

by Joseph Cranney, The Post and Courier, and Karim Doumar, ProPublica

April 25, 2019, 5:53 pm EDT
South Carolina: The State Where Judges Rule Themselves in Secret

by Joseph Cranney, The Post and Courier

April 25, 2019, 12:00 am EDT

Topics We Cover

Our Biggest Seriess

Life of the Mother

The New Immigration

Friends of the Court

The Untouchables

Facing New Complaint, South Carolina Magistrate Removed as County’s Chief Judge

South Carolina’s Governor Addresses Magistrate Judge Controversy by Urging Changes

Magistrate Judges Took Bribes, Stole Money and Mishandled Cases. South Carolina Officials Now Want Reform.

We Investigated Magistrates. Now, Lawmakers Want to Overhaul the System.

This Judge Is Married to the Sheriff. Ethics Complaints Have Piled Up.

He Defended the Confederate Flag and Insulted Immigrants. Now He’s a Judge.

These Judges Can Have Less Training Than Barbers but Still Decide Thousands of Cases Each Year

Have a Complaint About a South Carolina Judge? Help Us Investigate.

South Carolina: The State Where Judges Rule Themselves in Secret

Featured Posts in this Series

Impact of Our Reporting

Journalism That Holds Power to Account