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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.

5729 - State v. Tallent

This case arises out of allegations that the defendant, Dwayne C. Tallent, sexually abused his minor stepdaughter for several years, that he exposed her to illegal drugs and alcohol, and that he gave her brothers illegal drugs and alcohol when they moved into the house. He was charged with first and second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, (CSC 1st and 2nd); lewd act upon a child; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A jury convicted him of the charges, and the trial court sentenced him to concurrent sentences for a total of thirty years' imprisonment. Tallent argues the trial court erred in denying his motion to sever the contributing to the delinquency of a minor charge from the other charges and in admitting evidence of his manufacture, sale, and use of cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine. He claims some of the drug-related evidence violated Rule 403, SCRE. We affirm.

5730 - Damico v. Lennar Carolinas, LLC

This is an appeal from an order denying a motion to compel arbitration of a sprawling dispute over the construction of numerous homes in a development. We reverse, holding the circuit court erred by not severing the arbitration provision in the parties sales contract from warranty and arbitration provisions found in other documents related to the transaction.

6-17-2020 - Opinions

5732 - Richardson v. White

In this appeal from a forfeiture order, we find the trial court abused its discretion by failing to delay the trial and weigh the required factors in response to Appellant's motion for imposition of discovery sanctions. We reverse the forfeiture order and remand for a new trial after an opportunity for adequate discovery.