South Carolina Federal Criminal Law

South Carolina Federal Criminal Law Review — Districts & Circuits

By John D. Kirby, Former U.S. Federal Prosecutor ·

Which federal district court(s) and circuit handle federal criminal cases arising in South Carolina, and the statutes that govern federal prosecutions.

Federal Criminal Law in South Carolina at a Glance

Judicial District(s)
District of South Carolina
Circuit
Fourth Circuit
Circuit Seat
Richmond, Virginia
Key Statute
18 U.S.C. § 3231
Original federal criminal jurisdiction over offenses against the laws of the United States.

The Federal Judicial District(s) Covering South Carolina

28 U.S.C. § 121 defines the federal judicial district(s) for South Carolina:

“South Carolina constitutes one judicial district comprising eleven divisions.” — 28 U.S.C. § 121

Appeals from those district courts go to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Circuit membership is set by 28 U.S.C. § 41, which lists South Carolina among the states of the Fourth Circuit.

Federal Criminal Appellate Review for Cases Arising in South Carolina

Jurisdiction
Original federal criminal jurisdiction
18 U.S.C. § 3231
“The district courts of the United States shall have original jurisdiction, exclusive of the courts of the States, of all offenses against the laws of the United States.”
Recent decision
United States v. Earl Griffin, Jr.
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · August 14, 2026 · No. 22-4257
“Reversed, vacated, and remanded by published opinion. Judge Benjamin wrote the opinion, in which Judge Gregory joined. Judge Heytens wrote a dissenting opinion.” Read the opinion at CourtListener.
Circuit
Appeals are heard by the Fourth Circuit
28 U.S.C. § 41 · ca4.uscourts.gov
“In the federal system, 94 district courts are organized into 12 regional circuits. Each circuit has its own court of appeals that reviews cases decided in U.S. district courts within the circuit.” The Fourth Circuit sits in Richmond, Virginia.

Additional research notes are published as new court decisions are issued.

Primary sources

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Publisher: Federal Criminal Law Review Desk — Federal Criminal Law Review Desk

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