In re Former Williamsburg County Magistrate & Former Greeleyville Municipal Court Judge Harvin

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court accepted an Agreement for Discipline by Consent concerning a former magistrate and municipal court judge who misappropriated traffic-fine payments and provided inaccurate information during the investigation. The Court imposed a public reprimand and prohibited the respondent from seeking or accepting a judicial position in South Carolina without prior written authorization.

Holdings

1. The Court accepted the Agreement for Discipline by Consent and imposed a public reprimand on the respondent.
2. Respondent's admitted conduct violated the specified Canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct, the Chief Justice's Administrative Order concerning financial recordkeeping standards for magistrates, and the applicable grounds for discipline under Rule 7(a), RJDE.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Court should accept the respondent's Agreement for Discipline by Consent and impose a public reprimand for admitted judicial misconduct.
2. Whether respondent's conduct violated the cited Canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct, the Chief Justice's Administrative Order concerning financial recordkeeping, and the Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement.

Disposition

other