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Supreme Court to host special term of court at USCA
Columbia, S.C. – The Supreme Court of South Carolina is pleased to announce that it will host a term of court at USCA's Etherredge Center on Sept. 23 and 24, 2025. This special term will mark the first time the Supreme Court has held court in Aiken County. The hearings will be open to the public and free of charge. The Court will hear two cases each day, with the justices entertaining questions from the audience following each hearing. This unique opportunity will allow students and residents to gain insight into the workings of the state's highest court and to engage with the justices.
"The Supreme Court and its wonderful staff have been working hard to make our term of court in Aiken an interesting and meaningful experience," Chief Justice John W. Kittredge said. "Indeed, the primary reason we travel all over our great state is to give students and other members of the public a real-life civics lesson in the judicial branch of government."
In addition to the Supreme Court hearings, the South Carolina Bar, South Carolina Legal Services, Time Served, and the Joseph F. Rice Pro Bono Program will offer free legal services to citizens who need help with expungements and pardons, as well as simple divorces based on the grounds of one year of separation.
“The South Carolina Bar looks forward to serving the Aiken community through our Pro Bono Program clinic with great legal community partners,” SC Bar President Chris Koon said. “We’re thankful for the Supreme Court’s partnership in bringing these life-changing opportunities to the Aiken area.”
USCA is pleased to be hosting the Supreme Court for the first time, and the university hopes people will take this opportunity to learn more about the judicial branch of government.
"We are honored to welcome the Supreme Court of South Carolina to the University of South Carolina Aiken," Chancellor Daniel Heimmermann said. "Hosting the Supreme Court provides our students and community with a unique opportunity to witness the judicial process firsthand and reflects our commitment to fostering civic engagement and learning beyond the classroom."
The hearings will be open to the public and free of charge.
"The Supreme Court cares deeply about our state and its citizens," Kittredge said. "We hope you will sense that commitment, and in turn, you will gain an appreciation and respect for all in the Judicial Branch who strive to uphold the rule of law. Please join us in Aiken!"
Oral Arguments
| Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 | Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025 |
|---|---|
| 9:30 a.m. The State, Respondent, v. Kenneth Henry Eastwood, Appellant. |
10 a.m. The State, Petitioner v. Kierin Marcellus Dennis, Respondent. |
| 11 a.m. Ex Parte: South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense, Respondent, In Re: The State, Respondent, v. Kenneth Henry Eastwood, Appellant. |
11:30 a.m. Andre T. Heatley, Jr., Petitioner, v. State of South State of South Carolina, Respondent. |
Register for Free Divorce Legal Services (Sept. 23, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Register for Free Expungement & Pardon Legal Services (Sept. 23, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Register Group Attendance (five or more people)
The oral arguments will be streamed by South Carolina ETV. Video cameras are not permitted during the hearings, but still cameras are allowed if they do not flash or make noise.
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About the South Carolina Bar
The South Carolina Bar serves more than 19,000 attorneys licensed in the Palmetto State under the unified judicial system established in 1975. The purposes of the Bar include continually improving the administration of justice throughout the State; requiring the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct, and upholding the integrity and honor of the legal profession; promoting consistent high quality of legal education and legal services to the public; applying the knowledge, experience and ability of the legal profession to the promotion of the public good; and encouraging goodwill and respect for integrity and excellence in public service among the members of the legal profession and the public.
About USCA
The University of South Carolina Aiken is a regional university offering both bachelor’s and master’s degrees across more than 30 academic programs to approximately 4,000 students. USCA is recognized as a top Regional Comprehensive Public University in the South and attracts students from 40 states and 35 countries. With a commitment to providing a high-quality education at an affordable cost, USCA offers tuition rates well below the national average. Over 30% of undergraduate students receive full tuition support, and over 30% graduate debt-free thanks to scholarships and financial aid. For more details, visit www.usca.edu.
Media Contacts
South Carolina Judicial Branch
803-397-8713
media@sccourts.org
Angela Saxon, Communications Coordinator
University of South Carolina Aiken
706-836-1256
angela.saxon@usca.edu
Sarah Justice, Communications Director
South Carolina Bar
803- 576-3773
sarah.justice@scbar.org
For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.