The Supreme Court of South Carolina
In the Matter of Saint George and Cottageville Municipal Court Judge Michael Evans, Respondent.
ORDER
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel has filed a petition asking the Court to place respondent on interim suspension pursuant to Rule 17(b) of the Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement, Rule 502, SCACR.
IT IS ORDERED that respondent is suspended from any and all judicial duties pending further order of this Court. Neither the Town of Saint George nor the Town of Cottageville is under an obligation to pay respondent his salary during the suspension. See In the Matter of Ferguson, 304 S.C. 216, 403 S.E.2d 628 (1991).
Respondent is hereby enjoined from any access to any monies, bank accounts, or records related to any court of this State. The Chief Magistrates for Colleton and Dorchester Counties are directed to immediately take possession of all books, records, funds, property and documents relating to respondent’s judicial office in their respective counties.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent is prohibited from entering the premises of the Saint George or Cottageville Municipal Court unless escorted by a law enforcement officer after authorization for any such entry by the Chief Magistrate of the county in which the court is located. Finally, respondent is prohibited from having access to, destroying, or canceling any public records, and he shall immediately release any public records in his possession to either the Chief Magistrate of Colleton County or the Chief Magistrate of Dorchester County, depending on whether the records pertain to Cottageville or Saint George.
This Order, when served on any bank or other financial institution maintaining any judicial accounts of respondent, shall serve as notice to the institution that respondent is enjoined from making withdrawals from the accounts.
Any petition for reconsideration, as provided by Rule 17(d), RJDE, must be served and filed within fifteen (15) days of the date of this order.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
| s/Jean H. Toal FOR THE COURT |
Columbia, South Carolina
February 22, 2008