The state’s attorney general along with 18 sheriffs and 10 solicitors, including Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon and 11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard, are pushing for judicial reform.

The bipartisan group announced March 27 that it is seeking for the state to involve the executive branch in the selection of judges, arguing that South Carolina’s judiciary system works best when all three branches of the state’s government have equal checks and balances on the process.

In his remarks, Attorney General Alan Wilson zeroed in on the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, taking issue with the fact that the executive branch isn’t included in the the current process of vetting, selecting and nominating judicial candidates.

“We’re completely cut out of the process,” he said.

The attorney general added that the group believes that the state’s government works best when all three branches have equal checks on each other's ambitions, something they don’t feel is allowed within the current system.

1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe said the changes the group is looking for will make it fair to all judicial candidates. 

He outlined two of the laws to which the group would like to see reform:

• The first is that the selection commission should be required to screen out all qualified candidates and remove the three candidate cap, adding that if you’re qualified you should be given the opportunity to run in front of the General Assembly. 
• The second is the addition of a statute prohibiting lawyer legislators from being on the commission, with Pascoe arguing this would end the practice of legislative insiders having the power to pick the candidates.

Pascoe said that this is what he has been calling for, a more independent and more transparent selection process, stating that there shouldn’t be a process where you have to look over your shoulder to ensure you haven't offended a commission member who practices law.

“We need immediate judicial reform in South Carolina, especially the way we elect our judges,” Pascoe said. “We need it now.”

Wilson and Pascoe emphasized that the coalition is a diverse group that reaches all corners of the state.

“[These solicitors and sheriffs] come from all walks of life. They represent every judicial circuit and geographic area around South Carolina,” Wilson said. “We have some up here who are elected as Republicans and some who are elected as Democrats. Some are from rural areas, others from urban areas, heavily populated areas as well. Some have been in office for many years and others are currently serving in their first term.”

“Despite these differences, we all agree that there needs to be meaningful judicial reform here in South Carolina,” he added.

Sheriff Koon told the Chronicle that he echos what was shared during the conference.

“We’re just looking to make sure the system is fair and just for the victims,” Koon said. “We take all of our concerns locally and try to get united and have a coalition, like you saw today, to make changes at the state level.”

“It’s a great coalition, cross-sectioning the whole state,” he added.

Koon’s neighboring colleague Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott addressed said the system needs to become more modernized and put a greater focus on community safety, positing that there are a lot of places in the state that are not safe.

“Our citizens need help. They're being victimized every single day,” he said. “Everybody wants fair justice, but they want justice, and we need to help our judges.”