Randolph Murdaugh III

Randolph Murdaugh, III is the third generation of the Murdaugh family to serve as Solicitor of the 14th Judicial Circuit. Shortly after Randolph was born, his father, "Buster" Murdaugh, was sworn in as the Solicitor for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit after the death of his father, Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh. Buster's father, Randolph Murdaugh, started practicing law in 1910 and started the law practice that is now Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick, P.A. Randolph grew up in Varnville, South Carolina and graduated from Wade Hampton High School in 1957. He attended the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1961. Randolph then enrolled in the University of South Carolina School of Law and graduated in 1964. After graduating from law school, Randolph came home to Hampton to work in his father's law firm, Murdaugh, Eltzroth & Peters. Randolph also served, unpaid, as the only Assistant Solicitor in the circuit until a bill was passed that allowed for paid part time assistant solicitors. In 1986, Buster announced he would not run for another term as Solicitor and Randolph ran for the position. Randolph won the election and was sworn in as Solicitor in January of 1987. He served us as Solicitor until January of 2006. The Murdaugh family served as Solicitor for 87 consecutive years. This 87 years of service in one office by one family is the longest in the history of the United States. While Solicitor, Randolph served as lead prosecutor in over 200 murder cases. In 2005, Randolph announced he would not seek re-election for another term as Solicitor. He rejoined Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick, P.A. in 2006. Randolph practices in the Hampton office with his sons Randy and Alex. Randolph continues to serve the public as the Prosecutorial Consultant for the 14th Judicial Circuit.