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Senate Judiciary Committee gives favorable report to Jimmy Arthur Richardson for 15th-circuit solicitor
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee screened and gave a favorable report to Jimmy Arthur Richardson, Governor’s appointee for solicitor of the 15th judicial circuit, after a confirmation hearing and a unanimous committee vote; the nomination moves to the Senate desk for floor consideration.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday gave a favorable report to Jimmy Arthur Richardson, the governor’s appointee to serve as solicitor for the 15th judicial circuit.
Richardson was sworn and recited his full name and Conway address for the record. Committee staff summarized his background: a 1992 BA in government and international studies, a 1997 JD, membership in the South Carolina Bar since 1997, and successive roles in the Horry County solicitor’s office culminating in deputy solicitor. Staff told the committee a background check flagged no negative law‑enforcement records, tax liens or judgments.
Why it matters: the appointment fills the expired term left by the former solicitor for the 15th circuit and places a locally experienced prosecutor in a role that coordinates prosecutions across Horry and Georgetown counties. The committee’s favorable report clears the nomination to the Senate desk for floor consideration after the statutory three‑day hold.
At the hearing Richardson described his work habits and commitment to the circuit. “I’m usually about the first one to show up and last one to leave,” he said, and told senators he was committed to serving a full term. Senator Hamre, who introduced Richardson to the committee, called him “a person of true integrity and a good friend and a great public servant.”
Senators asked about courtroom and administrative practices, including a recent Supreme Court docket‑control order and local case‑management procedures. Richardson said his offices in Horry and Georgetown have pursued an aggressive case‑management goal — resolving general‑sessions cases within about 180 days when possible — and praised local drug court results, noting a study the office cited in which an early cohort’s aggregate felony count dropped dramatically after completion.
The committee voted to report the nomination favorably; the chair noted the committee record showed the decision was unanimous and that staff will forward the nomination to the Senate desk. After the three‑day period, the full Senate may take up the confirmation on the floor.
Next steps: the nomination was sent to the Senate desk and is expected to be placed on the floor calendar for consideration after statutorily required processing.
