SC Bar State-Specific Law 5

Question 1

In South Carolina, magistrate courts have civil jurisdiction over claims not exceeding:

Accepted Answer

$7,500

Answer

S.C. Code § 22-3-10 caps magistrate court civil jurisdiction at $7,500, exclusive of interest and costs.

Question 2

How are the justices of the South Carolina Supreme Court selected?

Accepted Answer

Elected by the General Assembly after screening by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission

Answer

South Carolina is one of the few states where the legislature elects appellate and circuit judges following merit-selection screening.

Question 3

A civil jury in South Carolina circuit court consists of how many jurors?

Accepted Answer

Twelve

Answer

Circuit court juries in South Carolina are composed of twelve members, while magistrate and municipal court juries have six.

Question 4

Under the South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act, a plaintiff who proves a willful or knowing violation is entitled to:

Accepted Answer

Treble actual damages plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs

Answer

S.C. Code § 39-5-140 mandates trebling of actual damages for willful violations and allows recovery of attorney's fees and costs.

Question 5

In a South Carolina child custody dispute between two fit parents, the controlling standard is:

Accepted Answer

The best interest of the child based on all relevant factors

Answer

S.C. Code § 63-15-240 makes the child's best interest the paramount consideration, and the tender years doctrine has been abolished.

(SC Bar) South Carolina Bar Exam Practice Test