Supreme Court Published Opinions -
January 2017
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.
1-5-2017 - Opinions
Charles Allen Cain appeals his conviction for trafficking in methamphetamine. He argues the State produced insufficient evidence as to the quantity of drugs required for trafficking, and thus the trial court erred when it denied his motion for a directed verdict. The court of appeals found the core of Cain's argument was not preserved for appellate review, and affirmed. We find Cain's argument is preserved, and the court of appeals erred by affirming the denial of the directed verdict motion. We reverse.
The Court reverses the Court of Appeals' opinion in Gonzales v. State, 412 S.C. 478, 772 S.E.2d 557 (Ct. App. 2015).
The Court affirms in part and reverses in part the court of appeals' opinion in Ramirez v. State, 413 S.C. 351, 776 S.E.2d 101 (Ct. App. 2015), and holds the PCR court erred in denying Ramirez's application for relief.1-11-2017 - Opinions
27697 - In the Matter of Frank Barnwell McMaster
The Court issues a definite suspension of thirty months retroactive to March 4, 2014, for respondent.1-18-2017 - Opinions
In this opinion, the Court issues a declaratory judgment regarding the effective date of certain amendments to the South Carolina Constitution.