Reinstated

An attorney who had been suspended as a result of a conviction for causing a death while driving drunk was reinstated with conditions by the South Carolina Supreme Court. He had served 7 1/2 years of a prison sentence. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel had opposed reinstatement in light of the seriousness of the offense. The court concluded:

...petitioner acknowledged the seriousness of his misconduct and the fact that drug   and alcohol addiction was an underlying component.  He further acknowledged his   misconduct resulted in an innocent victim losing her life.  He expressed deep regret   and sorrow for the victim’s loss of her life, and at the hearing before the   Committee he stated the accident and the consequences of it to the victim and   her family are with him every day.  Petitioner stated there are no words to   describe the remorse he feels, and although he wishes he could change what   occurred, he understands there is nothing he can do except learn from the past   and try to be a better person.  We note in this regard that the victim’s   mother, who petitioner corresponded with while in prison, informed the local   media that she does not oppose petitioner’s reinstatement and has   expressed to petitioner her desire that he return to the practice of law.

(Mike Frisch)