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Judges – Criminal Contempt Order – Appeals – Notice to State – Recusal Hearing – Attorneys
When she appealed a family court order holding her in criminal contempt, the appellant-attorney served notice on the family court judge and the county clerk of court. The Attorney General’s office informed this court that it would be appearing pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 1-4-40 (the Attorney General “shall appear for the State in […]
Judges – Discipline – Angry Outbursts – Public Reprimand
During a time when both his son and his wife were suffering from health issues, the respondent-magistrate judge (1) used profanity while scolding an attorney appearing before him and (2) yelled at a scheduling clerk for failing to provide him timely notice of a jury trial. Respondent thereby violated judicial canons requiring a judge (1) […]
Judges – Discipline – Public Reprimand – Potential Disqualification – Deputy Sheriff Spouse
Even though the respondent-magistrate made it a practice to disclose to litigants that his wife worked for the sheriff’s office, he failed (1) to disclose, when appropriate, that she supervised deputies involved in a particular matter; and (2) to allow the parties and their lawyers time to consider the question of remittal outside his presence […]
Judges – Discipline – Perception of Impartiality – Sheriff’s Department
The respondent-magistrate, who was married to the county sheriff, accessed the sheriff department’s Facebook page and forwarded citizen complaints she found there to the department using her judicial email account. She also involved herself in sheriff’s department personnel matters and prepared correspondence on behalf of the sheriff’s department, using her judicial email account in some [&h[...]
Judges – Discipline – Fundraising – Character Witness
In a prior disciplinary action, the respondent-judge promised not to make reference to his court or to post fundraising information on Facebook or any other social media, yet respondent restored the reference in his Facebook profile identifying himself as a probate judge with the Oconee County Probate Court and again used social media for fundraising […]
Judges – Discipline – Definite Suspension – Perceived Threats
After becoming visibly agitated and disruptive during a meeting, the respondent-magistrate told a colleague—who had told respondent to follow the chief magistrate’s direction—not to disrespect him again. He then returned to the meeting room, startled the chief magistrate, hit his hands together, and loudly requested that going forward the chief magistrate should show him respect; […]
Judges – Discipline – Traffic Ticket Interventions – Family & Friend
When a municipal court judge intervened in two traffic-ticket cases—marking a friend’s ticket “Not Guilty” prior to the scheduled hearing and asking a police officer to dismiss a case involving the judge’s brother-in-law—the judge violated several provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct. We issue a public reprimand, which is the strongest sanction we can […]
Judges – Discipline – Public Reprimand – Financial Dealings – Inappropriate Comments
In one instance, the respondent-probate judge used the probate court bank account for his own purposes and, in more than one instance, he made inappropriate comments to court personnel. Because respondent has resigned and agreed never to seek or accept judicial office in this state without first obtaining permission from this court, after providing notice […]
Judges – Discipline – Public Reprimand – Financial Dealings – Inappropriate Comments
The respondent-probate judge used the probate court account for his own purposes and made inappropriate comments to court personnel. Because respondent has resigned and agreed never to seek or accept judicial office in this state without first obtaining permission from this court, after providing notice to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, the strongest punishment we […]
Judges – Discipline – Public Reprimand – Oxycodone
When respondent took possession of a substance he believed was oxycodone, he violated Canon 1A (a judge should maintain high standards of conduct) and Canon 2A (a judge shall respect and comply with the law and shall act at all times to promote public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary) of the Code of […]
Judges – Discipline – Definite Suspension – Magistrate – Cotillion Scuffle
In re Johnson (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-033-17, 2 pp.) (Per Curiam) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: When the respondent-magistrate allowed a disagreement at the Newberry Cotillion Club to escalate into a physical altercation which resulted in minor injuries to both parties, respondent violated Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 1, § A of Canon 2 and § […]
Judges – Discipline – Definite Suspension – Facebook Posts – Trusts & Estates
In re Johns (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-085-16, 3 pp.) (Per Curiam) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: A judge’s Facebook account identified him as the probate court judge for Oconee County. His posts violated multiple canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct when they appeared to endorse a presidential candidate, engaged in fundraising for a local church, […]
Business Law
- Economy forces attorneys to get down to business
- Business Court judges trawl for customers
- Va. company's Web site did not subject business to personal jurisdiction in S.C., appeals panel rules
- Former running back from S.C. wins courtroom victory in contract dispute
- Contract – Government Contract – Qui Tam – False Claims Act
- Licenses & Permits – Beer & Wine Permit – Restrictive Covenant – Suitable Location
- Consumer Protection – FCRA – Auto Loan – Bank Accounting Errors
- Licenses & Permits – Veterinarian – Vaccine Maintenance
- Tort – Business Tort – Va. Computer Crimes Act – Trade Secrets
- Textile firm, railroad settle Graniteville train wreck lawsuit
- State regulators look at car dealer accused of lying to customers
- Subprime mortgage meltdown hits securities law
Commentary
- Stericycle decision forces evaluation of policies, practices
- Are workplace DEI policies still legal after SCOTUS decisions?
- Court cases add new twists to legal language
- It’s all business, especially the busyness
- Virginia Tech student got due process in hearing
- High court justices cross the line of propriety
- High court’s term was rough on big business
- The flip side of generative AI in law and how to address it
- The fight for equal educational opportunity continues
- Letter From The Editor – Working from Home
- NLRB joins FTC in taking aim at non-competes
- Supreme Court leaves key internet protection untouched
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