The Hon. James W. Rickenbacker is a magistrate for the Orangeburg County Magistrate Court in South Carolina. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Henry McMaster in 2022, filling the vacancy created by the passing of the Hon. Jacob Gillens.
The civil cases heard in magistrate court include eviction/notice to quit, summons and complaint lawsuits of $7500 or less, restraining orders, and claim and delivery actions. Magistrates also hear criminal and traffic cases, issue warrants and set bonds, and hold preliminary hearings and transfer cases for Orangeburg County.
Prior to his appointment, Rickenbacker was a public relations specialist with Family Health Centers, Inc. since 2020. Before that, he was a family service coordinator at Ocab Headstart (2014 to 2020) and an investigator for Adult Protective Services with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (2007 to 2014).
Rickenbacker has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Orangeburg County First Steps.
He received a B.A. in criminal justice from Florida A&M University in 2006.