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Supreme Court Seal
South Carolina
Judicial Department
Supreme Court Published Opinions - November 2009

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.


11-2-2009 - Opinions

26722 - Todd v. Joyner

In this case, the Court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals barring the introduction of evidence of payments from an insurance company to an expert and finding no error in the trial court's decision to allow the expert to read from medical records during his testimony.

11-4-2009 - Opinions

26737 - In the Matter of George A. Harper

This is a disciplinary opinion in which the Court suspended a lawyer from the practice of law.

11-5-2009 - Opinions

26741 - Sanford v. South Carolina State Ethics Commission

11-9-2009 - Opinions

26738 - In the Matter of Former Newberry County Associate Probate Judge Rebecca A. Allen

This is a judicial disciplinary opinion in which the Court publicly reprimanded a former probate judge.

26739 - Representative Harold Mitchell v. Spartanburg County Legislative Delegation

This case was brought under the original jurisdiction of this Court. In this case, the Court decided that the election of officers to a legislative delegation in South Carolina is a procedural matter such that a simple majority vote is appropriate.

26740 - In the Matter of Kenneth L. Mitchum

This is a disciplinary opinion in which the Court indefinitely suspended a lawyer.

26742 - In the Matter of Oliver W. Johnson, III

Court disbars attorney

11-16-2009 - Opinions

26743 - State v. Allen

Capital case: Issues involve trial court's comment on deterrent effect of death penalty, designation of statutory aggravating circumstances, and the impact of S.C. Code Ann. 16-3-20's requirement that the trial court conduct the sentencing proceeding when a capital defendant pleads guilty.

11-23-2009 - Opinions

26744 - Larry Hendricks v. SC Department of Corrections

Appellant argued his meaningful access to the courts was unconstitutionally hindered. However, because no actual injury occurred, Appellant’s meaningful access to the courts had not been unconstitutionally hindered.

11-30-2009 - Opinions

26745 - State v. Lara

The issue on appeal is whether the trial court erred in refusing to estreat the defendant's bond to the state.