Current:Home > MarketsSouth Carolina prosecutors want legislators who are lawyers off a judicial screening committee -Zenith Profit Hub
South Carolina prosecutors want legislators who are lawyers off a judicial screening committee
View
Date:2025-04-15 05:31:01
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Nine of South Carolina’s 16 elected prosecutors are asking to remove all legislators who are lawyers from a committee that decides which judicial candidates are put before the General Assembly for election.
All six of the lawmakers on the Judicial Merit Screening Commission are attorneys. Only one was mentioned by name in Monday’s letter: House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford. He responded with a news conference saying the prosecutors were making a power grab.
The prosecutors’ three-page letter cites several instances in which they said Rutherford influenced cases. It asks House and Senate leaders to replace attorneys on the commission with legislators who do not practice law.
“Quite frankly, it is shocking that Rep. Rutherford remains in such an important position, and that lawyer-legislators on JMSC have such influence over our judiciary,” the prosecutors wrote. “Trust us when we say that Rep. Rutherford’s tactics are not unique. Lawyer-legislators have undue influence over our judiciary.”
Five Republicans and four Democrats signed the letter.
Within hours, Rutherford, a Democrat, called a news conference to respond. He said the commission’s sole responsibility is to determine if lawyers are qualified to be judges. Members only limit which candidates are sent to the Legislature for consideration if more than three meet the requirements.
Rutherford challenged the prosecutors, who go by the title of solicitor in South Carolina, to make a formal ethics complaint against him specifying how he improperly influenced a judge.
“If they would like for the speaker of the House to take me off the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, they should at least show where I’ve done something wrong,” Rutherford said.
The dispute over how the state selects judges has grown contentious since the Legislature’s 2023 session ended in the spring. The complaints have been broad, ranging from concern about judges allowing violent, repeat offenders out on bail to complaints that not enough people of color have been elected.
The General Assembly elects judges after the Judicial Merit Selection Commission screens them. The commission conducts background checks, sends out questionnaires to determine temperament and judicial knowledge, and holds public hearings. If more than three candidates are qualified, the panel sends three names to the General Assembly.
Six of the 10 members of the commission are legislators. Some critics have suggested excluding lawmakers from the commission since they ultimately vote for judges.
Proposals have also been floated to have the governor nominate judicial candidates for the Legislature to vote on or to hold public elections for the judiciary branch.
Last week, Gov, Henry McMaster required magistrates, the lowest level of judges, to fill out a more detailed application for their jobs.
Republican House Speaker Murrell has created a special committee to review the entire judicial election system, and has ask for recommendations next year.
About three dozen legislative judicial elections are set for 2024, from chief justice of the state Supreme Court all the way to the Family Court system.
Rutherford said the complaining solicitors want to diminish the influence of defense attorneys and simply want more judges who are likely to side with prosecutors.
“This is about power, ” he said.
The letter was written by 16th Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett and signed by 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo, 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, 10th Circuit Solicitor David Wagner and 11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard, all Republicans. The Democratic signatories were 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, 3rd Circuit Solicitor Ernest “Chip” Finney, 4th Circuit Solicitor Will Rogers and 12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements.
___
Pollard is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
veryGood! (419)
Related
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Judge temporarily bars government from cutting razor wire along the Texas border
- Remains of former Chinese premier Li Keqiang to be cremated and flags to be lowered
- Travis Barker Reveals Name of His and Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian's Baby Boy
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Heavily armed man with explosives found dead at Colorado amusement park prompting weekend search
- India-led alliance set to fund solar projects in Africa in a boost to the energy transition
- Mass shooting in Tampa, Florida: 2 killed, 18 others hurt when gunfire erupts during crowded Halloween street party
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- For parents who’ve been through shootings, raising kids requires grappling with fears
Ranking
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- 'Remain calm:' Jamaica prime minister urges citizens to follow safety guidance after quake
- 3 astronauts return to Earth after 6-month stay on China’s space station
- Lego unveils new 4,000-piece Natural History Museum set: What to know
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Autoworkers are the latest to spotlight the power of US labor. What is the state of unions today?
- Boston Bruins exact revenge on Florida Panthers, rally from 2-goal deficit for overtime win
- Bridgerton’s Ruby Barker Shares She Experienced 2 Psychotic Breaks
Recommendation
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
Victorious Springboks arrive back to a heroes’ welcome in South Africa
Actor Robert De Niro tells a jury in a lawsuit by his ex-assistant: ‘This is all nonsense’
Black community says highway project caused major flooding, threatening their homes
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Police investigating alleged robbery after Colorado players say jewelry taken at Rose Bowl
Tennessee officials to pay $125K to settle claim they arrested a man for meme about fallen officer
'Friends' cast opens up about 'unfathomable loss' after Matthew Perry's death