Judges Hall, McKinnon, Gibbons re-elected for York, Chester, Lancaster, SC counties
The three resident South Carolina Circuit Circuit Court judges who handle most of the criminal and civil cases in York, Chester, and Lancaster counties were re-elected Wednesday by the S.C. General Assembly.
Incumbent judges Daniel “Dan” Hall and William “Bill” McKinnon from York County, and Brian Gibbons from Chester County, retained their seats, election totals showed.
None of the judges faced opposition. The general assembly is made up of 170 members of the S.C. House of Representatives and the S.C. Senate.
Hall was re-elected by a vote of 82 to 48 in unofficial statehouse results sent to the Herald by S.C. Rep. Tommy Pope, R-York. McKinnon was re-elected unanimously with all 137 votes for him. Gibbons was re-elected by a vote of 147-1.
Judges have six-year terms. Circuit judges have statewide jurisdiction and often hold court in other counties. Circuit judges handle criminal and civil trials, guilty pleas and sentencing, bond hearings, and other matters.
Hall, 67, was first elected to the bench in 2015 after more than 25 years as a York County prosecutor and public defender.
“I am thankful that I will be able to continue to serve our community as a Circuit Court Judge,” Hall said in a statement to The Herald after the vote.
McKinnon, 49, was elected in 2018. He was a prosecutor and private lawyer before becoming a judge.
“I feel very blessed and am thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve our community and state.,” McKinnon said in a statement to The Herald after Wednesday’s election.
Hall and McKinnon are resident judges for the 16th Judicial Circuit, made up of York and Union counties.
Gibbons, 55, of Chester became a Circuit Court judge in 2013, after serving eight years as a Family Court judge. Gibbons is the resident judge for Chester, Lancaster and Fairfield counties that make up the 6th Judicial Circuit.
“I am extremely grateful and look forward to continued service,” Gibbons said in a statement to The Herald after the vote Wednesday.
South Carolina does not have popular election of judges by voters. Judges are selected by members of the legislature after a review process. South Carolina has mandatory retirement for judges at age 72. Circuit judges make around $190,000 per year.
This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 8:09 AM.
