In the Matter of Former Judge James E. Crook, Spartanburg County Magistrate Court

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court accepted an Agreement for Discipline by Consent involving former Spartanburg County Magistrate James E. Crook. The court publicly reprimanded Crook for displaying sexually explicit photographs to a court employee, found violations of Canons 1, 1A, and 2A of the Code of Judicial Conduct, and required him to pay disciplinary costs and refrain from seeking or accepting future judicial office in South Carolina.

Holdings

1. Respondent's conduct violated Canon 1, Canon 1A, and Canon 2A of the Code of Judicial Conduct, and the violation constituted a ground for discipline under Rule 7(a)(1) of the Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement.
2. The court accepted the Agreement for Discipline by Consent and publicly reprimanded Respondent. Because Respondent no longer held judicial office and agreed not to seek or accept another judicial position in South Carolina, a public reprimand was the most severe available sanction.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Supreme Court should accept the parties' Agreement for Discipline by Consent.
2. Whether Respondent's admitted conduct violated the Code of Judicial Conduct and constituted grounds for discipline.
3. What sanction was appropriate after Respondent resigned and agreed not to seek or accept future judicial office in South Carolina.

Disposition

other