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Judiciary committee gives favorable report to Jimmy Arthur Richardson for 15th-circuit solicitor
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to give a favorable report to Jimmy Arthur Richardson II’s nomination as solicitor for the 15th judicial circuit after a screening at which the nominee described office practices and endorsements from local senators; the nomination now moves to the Senate floor.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 3 gave a favorable report to Jimmy Arthur Richardson II, the governor’s nominee to serve as solicitor for the 15th judicial circuit, and forwarded the nomination to the full Senate.
Richardson took the constitutional oath in committee and answered questions about his record and office practices. JJ Gentry, representing the nominee, told the committee Richardson’s background included a BA in government and international studies and a J.D.; Richardson has worked in the Horry County solicitor’s office in various roles and was appointed by the governor to fill the circuit’s solicitor vacancy.
The committee heard Richardson describe local practices he intends to continue, including using the jail to process high-volume plea days to reduce transports and delays. Richardson said his office aims to resolve cases quickly: “I’m usually about the first to show up and last to leave and constantly work to better Horry and Georgetown Counties,” and he described the drug court program’s results in his circuit, noting the first 100 graduates collectively reduced felony recidivism dramatically.
Committee members asked about case‑management systems, drug court outcomes, and financial reporting; Gentry and Richardson indicated the office keeps budgets and statistics and that they would cooperate with the prosecution coordination commission and the Senate’s oversight requests.
Senator Hamre moved that the committee approve Richardson’s appointment; another senator seconded the motion and the chair counted hands. The chair reported an apparent unanimous favorable report and stated the committee would send the nomination to the desk of the Senate for floor consideration next week.
At the conclusion of the screening the committee closed the matter and the nomination advances as a favorable report to the full Senate.
Richardson’s screening record in committee included his sworn full name and Conway address for the record; the committee’s staff confirmed a background check and financial review did not reveal disqualifying issues. The committee did not take additional formal amendments or conditions during the screening and the chairman said the nomination will be placed on the Senate calendar.
