Costa M. Pleicones
Costa M. Pleicones (born February 29, 1944) is an American jurist who served as the chief justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court. He has served on the court since being elected in February 2000 to replace Justice Toal (who assumed the chief justice position at that time). He was sworn in on March 29, 2000. Before being elected to the court, his judicial experience included serving on the courts for the city of Columbia and as a Circuit Court Judge. On May 27, 2015, Justice Pleicones was elected to replace Chief Justice Jean Toal. His term began January 1, 2016, and his investiture as Chief Justice of South Carolina took place on January 7, 2016.
Costa M. Pleicones | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court | |
| In office January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Jean H. Toal |
| Succeeded by | Donald W. Beatty |
| Associate Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court | |
| In office March 23, 2000 – December 31, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Jean H. Toal |
| Succeeded by | John Cannon Few |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 29, 1944 Greenville, SC |
| Alma mater | Wofford College (B.A.) University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D.) |
Justice Pleicones was born in Greenville and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina. He attended Wofford College and graduated with a degree in English in 1965. Prior to his election to the South Carolina judiciary Pleicones was active for more than thirty years in the United States Army Reserve where he served as an officer in the Judge Advocate's General Corps. The justice has also worked in private practice and as a public defender for Richland County.
A frequent lecturer, Costa Pleicones has been called upon by many professional organizations including CLE programs by the South Carolina Bar. He presently serves as a member of the Wofford College Board of Trustees.