Current Status Bill Number:784 Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution JR Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19950426 Primary Sponsor:Bryan All Sponsors:Bryan Drafted Document Number:jud6048.jeb Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 11 SJ Subject:Judicial screening committee
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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Senate 19950426 Introduced, read first time, 11 SJ
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 15, ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND ASSOCIATE JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT, JUDGES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, AND JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, SO AS TO ADD A QUALIFICATION THAT PERSONS MUST BE FOUND QUALIFIED FOR SUCH OFFICE BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHARGED BY LAW TO SCREEN CANDIDATES FOR JUDICIAL OFFICE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 15, Article V of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:
"Section 15. No person shall be eligible to the office of Chief Justice, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Court of Appeals, or judge of the Circuit Court who is not at the time of his election a citizen of the United States and of this State, and has not attained the age of twenty-six years, has not been a licensed attorney at law for at least five years, and has not been a resident of this State for five years next preceding his election and has not been found qualified for such office by the joint legislative committee charged by law to screen candidates for judicial office."
SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:
"Must Section 15, Article V of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to provide that, as a qualification for judicial office, candidates for the office of Chief Justice, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Court of Appeals, or judge of the Circuit Court must be found qualified for such office by the joint legislative committee charged by law to screen candidates for judicial office?"
Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word `Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word `No'."