Note: Beginning in June 2012, opinions will be posted as Adobe PDFs. You can download a free copy of Adobe Reader here.

The summary following each opinion is prepared to offer lawyers and the public a general overview of what a particular opinion decides. The summary is not necessarily a full description of the issues discussed in an opinion.

25274 - S.C. Life and Accident and Health Insurance Guaranty Association v. Liberty Life Insurance Co.

Retirement investment contracts containing options to purchase annuities in the future are not "annuities" entitled to coverage under the South Carolina Life and Accident and Health Insurance Guaranty Act.

25275 - Eargle v. Horry County

County Administrator lacks authority to suspend employees of elected officials.

25276 - State v. Irick

This case addresses whether an expert can testify about the effect a victim's use of drugs and alcohol could have upon a paranoid schizophrenic defendant.

25277 - Moore v. Florence County

Where no election to fill unexpired term of office has been held, gubernatorial appointee is entitled to remain in office until term expires. Electee to office cannot qualify for term of office to which he has not been elected.

25278 - George v. Empire Fire and Marine Insurance Company

This is an insurance case involving the issue of reformation based on mutual mistake.

25279 - McGee v. Bruce Hospital System

This civil case involves the issue of whether one may seek punitive damages against a doctor following the satisfaction of a judgment against another doctor.

25280 - Braddock v. State

This is a post-conviction relief case raising the issue of whether the PCR court erred by finding petitioner had waived his right to appeal by failing to appear for trial.

25281 - State v. Lynch

This is a criminal appeal involving the issue of whether an amendment to a first degree burglary indictment affected subject matter jurisdiction over the charge.

25282 - State v. Shuler

This death penalty case, which involved the murder of an armored car guard, contained several issues. The primary issues are: (1) did the trial judge fail to grant Batson relief where he ruled one of the Solicitor's reasons for striking a juror was a "subterfuge"; and (2) did the trial judge err in proceeding with a Jackson v. Denno hearing in the defendant's absence.

25283 - Boone v. Boone

This case discusses whether interspousal immunity violates the public policy of South Carolina and whether the Court will decline to apply the lex loci delicti when the law of the foreign state recognizes interspousal immunity.

25284 - State v. Wilson

Criminal case discussing admission of bad act evidence and standard of review on appeal.

25285 - In the Matter of Carolyn Elizabeth Craig

This is an attorney disciplinary case involving misappropriation of funds.

25286 - Ford v. State Ethics Commission

This case involves whether jurisdiction over a sentor's alleged misconduct during a campaign against a ballot measure lies with the Senate Ethics Committee or the State Ethics Commission.

25287 - Roscoe v. State

Voluntariness of defendant's plea to armed robbery