Reforms in South Carolina’s Judicial Selection Process

News Summary

South Carolina lawmakers are planning changes to the judicial selection process to help alleviate the backlog of cases in the busy 9th Judicial Circuit. For the first time, the governor will assist in selecting judges. With a significant portion of criminal cases pending for over two years, a new judge is set to be elected on February 5, 2025, from three candidates: Bryan Alfaro, Thomas Rode, and Bruce Wallace. The ongoing debates highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the state’s judicial framework.

Judge Selection in South Carolina’s Busy Courts

Charleston, South Carolina – Hold onto your hats, folks! South Carolina lawmakers are gearing up for a big decision that could help ease the backlog of court cases piling up across the state. The judicial selection process is set to see some changes that will hopefully bring a breath of fresh air to the overburdened 9th Judicial Circuit.

New Roles and Responsibilities

This time around, state lawmakers will retain control over the process of electing judges, but there’s a twist! For the first time, the governor will have a hand in the selection process. This compromise is a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to reform how judges are chosen in South Carolina, a state that has faced plenty of scrutiny regarding potential bias and corruption in judicial appointments.

Busy Courtrooms and Long Waits

Now, let’s talk about the 9th Judicial Circuit, which covers Charleston and Berkeley counties. Picture this: approximately 40% of its criminal cases have been sitting in limbo for two years or more! That’s right, folks. Justice has been delayed significantly since at least 2020. While the total number of pending cases has seen a slight drop from about 9,300 in 2020 to around 7,600 by mid-2024, the situation still calls for immediate attention.

A Call for New Leadership

The call for a new judge has never been clearer. On February 5, 2025, during a joint session, state lawmakers will elect a new judge aimed at clearing out some of that clogged caseload. Three candidates are in the running for this crucial position: Bryan Alfaro, Thomas Rode, and Bruce Wallace.

Meet the Candidates

First up is Bryan Alfaro, a former deputy solicitor who has taken on a variety of criminal cases. He brings with him a wealth of experience in criminal law; however, he faces questions regarding his involvement with civil cases.

Next is Thomas Rode, a business and contracts attorney with rave reviews for his qualifications. He comes highly recommended but, like Alfaro, has limited criminal case experience to speak of.

Last but certainly not least is Bruce Wallace, a financial and real estate attorney with an interesting background. While he was not advanced by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission (JMSC) last year due to some concerns regarding his recent criminal case experience, he hopes to have another shot at making a difference in the courts.

Facing the Future

The JMSC recently held hearings and found all three candidates qualified, putting them one step closer to possibly taking the judge’s seat. However, the process leading up to this has been underscored by concerns over transparency and accountability within South Carolina’s judicial system. As one of only two states where lawmakers elect nearly all judges, South Carolina’s unique approach can sometimes raise eyebrows about potential conflicts of interest among the lawmakers who are also practicing attorneys.

Pushing for Reform

In light of the controversies surrounding judicial appointments, the General Assembly has made it clear that judicial reform is a hot topic on the agenda. Discussions surrounding the need for improvement in transparency and accountability are ongoing, and many folks across the state are watching closely.

With Louis Armstrong’s famous words echoing—“The time is always right to do what is right”—the hope is that with the upcoming selection of a new judge, South Carolina can take a significant step towards justice that’s not just delayed.

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: Judicial Elections in Charleston and Berkeley County
• SC Daily Gazette: SC Legislature to Choose from 68 Finalists for Judicial Seats
• Fits News: Cozy Corruption in South Carolina’s Judicial Selection
• Count On 2: SC House OKs Changes to Judicial Selection Process
• News and Sentinel: Voters Get Chance to Select First Elected Judge to West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals
• Wikipedia: Judicial Selection in the United States