Opinion
Appellate Case No. 2023-001840
11-30-2023
In the MATTER OF St. George Municipal Court Judge David Lamar LITTLE, Respondent.
ORDER
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel has filed a petition asking the Court to place Respondent on interim suspension from his judicial duties pursuant to Rule 17(b) of the Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement, Rule 502, SCACR.
IT IS ORDERED that the petition is granted and Respondent is placed on interim suspension. There is no obligation to pay Respondent his salary during the suspension. See In re Ferguson, 304 S.C. 216, 219, 403 S.E.2d 628, 630-31 (1991) (establishing that the right to compensation arises out of the performance of the duties of the office). Respondent is directed to immediately deliver to The Honorable Kelly K. Muckenfuss all books, records, bank account records, funds, property, and documents relating to his judicial office. Respondent is enjoined from access to any monies, bank accounts, records, or other property related to his judicial office.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondent is prohibited from entering the premises of the municipal court unless escorted by a law enforcement officer after authorization from the Chief Justice. Finally, Respondent is prohibited from having access to, destroying, or canceling any public records, and he is prohibited from access to any judicial databases or case management systems. This Order authorizes The Honorable Kelly K. Muckenfuss or any law enforcement official to implement any of the prohibitions stated in this order.
This Order, when served on any bank or other financial institution maintaining any judicial accounts of Respondent, shall serve as notice to the institution that Respondent is enjoined from having access to or making withdrawals from the accounts.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Donald W. Beatty, C.J.
FOR THE COURT