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Judiciary committee gives favorable report to Jimmy Arthur Richardson for 15th-circuit solicitor
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a favorable committee report for Jimmy Arthur Richardson II’s appointment as solicitor for the 15th judicial circuit after a screening that included his oath, a review of qualifications and questions about local court practices.
Jimmy Arthur Richardson II was screened and given a unanimous favorable report by the Senate Judiciary Committee on his nomination to serve as solicitor for South Carolina’s 15th judicial circuit.
At the start of the session, the chair administered the oath and asked Richardson to state his full name and address for the record; Richardson identified himself as "Jimmy Arthur Richardson the 2nd" and gave his Conway address. Committee counsel JJ Gentry summarized Richardson’s background: a BA in government and international studies, a 1997 JD, membership in the South Carolina Bar and a long tenure in the Horry County solicitor’s office including time as deputy solicitor and chief deputy.
Richardson described his work habits and local practices during questioning by committee members. Asked about a recent Supreme Court order on docket control, Richardson said he was not a fan of the order and noted that, "All I know about is Horry and Georgetown counties," where many of the order’s practices were already in place. He discussed local case‑management practices and said his office aims to resolve most cases within a year and strives for the 'gold standard' of resolving cases within 180 days. On drug court, Richardson told the committee his circuit’s program has had measurable success: of the first 100 people who came through the drug court cohort, "they averaged 11 felonies apiece going in…that first group, we've had 1 felony since they've graduated," a reduction he credited to the program's work.
After brief endorsements from committee members and several procedural exchanges, a committee member moved to approve Richardson’s appointment and the motion was seconded. The committee recorded a favorable report and the chair said the nomination would be sent to the desk of the full Senate and held for three days to allow any senator to ask questions before the floor consideration.
The committee’s action is a committee‑level favorable report; the nomination will next appear on the Senate floor for further consideration.
