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.

3595 - Hardy v. Gunter

In this termination of parental rights case, the Court of Appeals analyzes the efficacy of S.C. Code Ann. section 20-7-1572(3) (failure to visit) and section 20-7-1572(4) (failure to support) as grounds for termination of the father's parental rights.

3597 - Anderson v. Augusta Chronicle

Defamation action in which Court of Appeals reverses trial court's decision to direct a verdict for defendant based on plaintiff's failure to prove actual malice.

3598 - Belton v. Cincinnati Insurance

In this action alleging breach of contract and bad faith refusal to pay insurance proceeds, the issue is whether the plaintiff had an insurable interest in property leased with an option to purchase.

2-18-2003 - Opinions

3599 - State v. Grubbs

In this criminal action, the parties litigated on appeal the admissibility of the battered spouse syndrome and whether the defendant was entitled to a jury charge on involuntary manslaughter.

3600 - State v. Lewis

This criminal appeal involves two questions: (1) whether an in camera hearing is required when a witness does not make a pretrial identification of the defendant; and (2) whether the trial court erred by prohibiting a defendant from exercising a peremptory strike.

2-24-2003 - Opinions

3601 - State v. Butler

In this criminal matter, the appellant appeals his convictions for trafficking in cocaine and unlawful possession of a pistol. He contends the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress the evidence, which was obtained as the result of an unlawful pat-down search of appellant, a passenger in a lawfully stopped vehicle.