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Judges

Jul 13, 2023

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 […]

Sep 28, 2022

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) […]

Jun 30, 2022

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 […]

Jun 9, 2022

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[...]

Oct 20, 2021

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 […]

Aug 12, 2021

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; […]

Apr 1, 2021

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 […]

Aug 30, 2018

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 […]

Aug 23, 2018

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 […]

Jun 14, 2018

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 […]

Jun 3, 2017

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 § […]

Nov 18, 2016

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, […]

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