Senate Judiciary Committee gives favorable report to Jimmy Arthur Richardson for 15th Judicial Circuit solicitor

The Senate Judiciary Committee screened Jimmy Arthur Richardson on the governor’s appointment to serve as solicitor for the 15th judicial circuit and gave him a favorable committee report, the chair announced after a hands vote.

Richardson, who identified himself for the record as "Jimmy Arthur Richardson the 2nd," took the oath and described his commitment to the job and to continuing case-management practices in Horry and Georgetown counties. Committee counsel JJ Gentry summarized Richardson’s record, noting a BA in government and international studies, a JD, years of service in the Horry County solicitor’s office and the governor’s appointment on Dec. 12, 2012.

During questioning Richardson said he would continue the circuit’s case-management procedures aimed at resolving many matters within 180 days and defended the local practice in light of a recent Supreme Court order on dockets. He also pointed to the circuit’s drug court as a success story: "Out of those 100, they averaged 11 felonies apiece going in... That first group, we've had 1 felony since they've graduated," Richardson said, citing the office’s study of the program’s first cohort.

Several senators offered endorsements. After debate, a motion to approve Richardson’s appointment was made and seconded; the chair announced the committee’s favorable report with an announced tally of "21 to nothing." The chair said the committee will send the nomination to the Senate desk, where it will remain for three days to allow other senators to ask questions before the full Senate takes it up.

Next steps: the nomination will be transmitted to the Senate desk for consideration on the floor following the committee’s three-day period.