Judge Mandy Kimmons
Court: Superior Court, Family Division
Location: Dorchester County, South Carolina
Judge Mandy Kimmons has quickly earned a reputation in South Carolina family court for wielding power without the depth of experience or impartiality the role demands. Prior to her appointment, Kimmons served as a one-term state representative and abruptly resigned, citing a desire to “focus on community service,” only to secure a judicial seat shortly thereafter—despite minimal private practice and virtually no substantial litigation experience. This raises serious questions about political favoritism and the fast-tracking of judicial careers for those with connections rather than qualifications.
Kimmons’ tenure on the bench has drawn heavy criticism for perpetuating what many are calling a modern-day “debtor’s prison” system in family court. She has reportedly jailed parents—mothers and fathers—for inability to pay inflated attorney and guardian ad litem fees, even in cases where financial hardship was well documented. Multiple litigants have cited her biased rulings and unwillingness to consider due process arguments from pro se litigants, especially those facing the entrenched influence of powerful local families. Notably, Kimmons’ alleged financial and political ties to the Knight family—a politically entrenched power broker in the Lowcountry—have fueled concerns about conflicts of interest and favoritism in custody and fee rulings.
Critics argue that Judge Kimmons exemplifies the dangers of politically connected but inexperienced judges presiding over the most sensitive and life-altering cases—child custody, parental rights, and constitutional liberty. Her courtroom, they claim, is not one of balanced justice but of backroom alliances, punitive enforcement, and unchecked discretion.
ALWD-Style Citations:
Michael Phillips, The Guardian Who Took Sides: Bias, Billing, and the Broken Role of a GAL in William Sewell’s Case, The Thunder Report (July 7, 2025), https://thunderreport.org/2025/07/07/the-guardian-who-took-sides-bias-billing-and-the-broken-role-of-a-gal-in-william-sewells-case/.
Michael Phillips, William Sewell vs. the System: South Carolina’s Family Court Corruption Isn’t Just Alleged—It’s Alive and Well, The Thunder Report (July 2, 2025), https://thunderreport.org/2025/07/02/william-sewell-vs-the-system-south-carolinas-family-court-corruption-isnt-just-alleged-its-alive-and-well/.
Michael Phillips, The Somerville Syndicate: How a South Carolina Family Court Became a Playground for Power, Profit, and Persecution, The Thunder Report (June 30, 2025), https://thunderreport.org/2025/06/30/the-somerville-syndicate-how-a-south-carolina-family-court-became-a-playground-for-power-profit-and-persecution/.
Michael Phillips, Biased from the Bench: How Judge Kimmons Shut Down a Father’s Fight for Fairness, The Thunder Report (June 13, 2025), https://thunderreport.org/2025/06/13/biased-from-the-bench-how-judge-kimmons-shut-down-a-fathers-fight-for-fairness/.
Michael Phillips, Lights, Camera, Due Process: Why the William Sewell Case Proves South Carolina Courtrooms Need Cameras, The Thunder Report (June 12, 2025), https://thunderreport.org/2025/06/12/lights-camera-due-process-why-the-william-sewell-case-proves-south-carolina-courtrooms-need-cameras/.
Michael Phillips, Punished for Parenting: How the Family Court System Destroys the Very People It Claims to Protect, The Thunder Report (June 7, 2025), https://thunderreport.org/2025/06/07/punished-for-parenting-how-the-family-court-system-destroys-the-very-people-it-claims-to-protect/.
Michael Phillips, The Setup: How a Legal Power Structure Took Over a Family, The Thunder Report (June 7, 2025), https://thunderreport.org/2025/06/07/the-setup-how-a-legal-power-structure-took-over-a-family/.
Michael Phillips, The Players: The Judges, Attorneys, and Guardians Who Keep the System Running, The Thunder Report (June 6, 2025), https://thunderreport.org/2025/06/06/the-players-the-judges-attorneys-and-guardians-who-keep-the-system-running/.
Michael Phillips, The Fixer: Donnie Gamache and the Family Court Cartel, The Thunder Report (June 6, 2025), https://thunderreport.org/2025/06/06/the-fixer-donnie-gamache-and-the-family-court-cartel/.
Michael Phillips, Mechanic vs. Machine: How a South Carolina Family Court Is Destroying a Father with Legal Extortion, The Thunder Report (June 1, 2025), https://thunderreport.org/2025/06/01/mechanic-vs-machine-how-a-south-carolina-family-court-is-destroying-a-father-with-legal-extortion/.
