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Senate Judiciary Committee gives favorable report to Jimmy Arthur Richardson for 15th circuit solicitor
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously reported favorably on the nomination of Jimmy Arthur Richardson II to be solicitor for the 15th judicial circuit after a brief screening, oath and questions about case management and drug-court practices.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on the opening day of its session screened Jimmy Arthur Richardson II, a longtime Horry County prosecutor, and gave him a unanimous favorable report to the full Senate.
Chair opened the meeting and introduced Richardson as the governor's nominee to fill the expired term for solicitor of the 15th judicial circuit. Committee counsel read Richardson's background: a B.A. in government and international studies and a J.D., membership in the South Carolina Bar since 1997, judicial clerkship experience, and a long tenure in the Horry County solicitor's office culminating in service as deputy solicitor and chief deputy.
Richardson repeated the committee oath, gave his name and address for the record, and told senators he intends to serve a full term. “I'm usually about the first one to show up and last one to leave and constantly work to better Horry and Georgetown Counties,” Richardson said, describing his office habits and pledging commitment to the position.
Members pressed Richardson on operational questions. When asked about a recent Supreme Court order affecting docket control, Richardson said he disagreed with the new order and explained that, in his Horry and Georgetown experience, the practices at issue are already in place and affect a small fraction of local cases. He also confirmed his office's use of a case-management system, the operation of an established drug court program and his willingness to continue those administrative practices. Richardson cited a study of his drug court's first 100 graduates, saying the group averaged 11 felonies apiece entering the program and had one felony among them after graduating.
After questioning, a committee member moved approval of the nomination; the motion was seconded and members raised their hands for a show-of-hands vote. The committee chair announced the report appeared unanimous; he later confirmed the committee's tally as 21–0 in favor of a favorable report to the floor. The chair said the nomination will remain on the Senate desk for three days to allow further inquiries before a floor vote.
The committee sent the nomination forward without recorded dissent and adjourned that portion of the meeting to proceed with its legislative calendar.
