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.

27926 - In the Matter of Bradford Rawlinson

27927 - Cooper v. SCDSS

Zachariah Scott Cooper, Amie Rochelle Lord Cooper, and Arlene Annett Palazzo are foster parents of three sibling children placed in their care by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS). The Coopers foster one of the children, and Palazzo fosters the other two children. DSS initiated removal actions in the family court. The Coopers and Palazzo (collectively, Foster Parents) filed private actions seeking termination of parental rights (TPR) and adoption of their respective foster children. This consolidated appeal stems from the family court's order denying several motions made by Foster Parents. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand this matter to the family court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

27928 - State v. Smith

The Court affirms Terrell Smith's sentences and convictions, finding the mandatory minimum sentence for murder set forth in section 16-3-20(A) is constitutional as applied to juveniles.

27929 - Kunst v. Loree

We issued a writ of certiorari to review the court of appeals' decision in Kunst v. Loree, 424 S.C. 24, 817 S.E.2d 295 (Ct. App. 2018). We now dismiss the writ as improvidently granted.

27931 - In the Matter of Douglas Gaines

The Court accepted an Agreement for Discipline by Consent entered into between Respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in which Respondent admitted his conduct violated numerous provisions of the South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, and suspend Respondent from the practice of law for two years, retroactive to the date of his interim suspension.