A Significant Bite Mark

The South Carolina Supreme Court has imposed a definite six-month suspension with credit for time served for a domestic incident

On January 14, 2022, after engaging in a verbal dispute with her fiancé, Respondent went to her vehicle and retrieved a number of personal items, including her firearm. Respondent then attempted to remove herself from the dispute with her fiancé by locking herself in the bedroom. Respondent’s fiancé broke into the bedroom, at which time he and Respondent engaged in a physical altercation. Respondent was in actual possession of the firearm during the altercation. As Respondent’s fiancé attempted to disarm her, the firearm accidentally discharged. As a result of the altercation, Respondent sustained bruising to her arms, and Respondent’s fiancé sustained a significant bite mark on his neck.

On the night of the incident, law enforcement observed Respondent smelling of alcohol and using slurred speech. Respondent was charged with one misdemeanor count of third-degree domestic violence. Respondent self-reported this charge to ODC on January 28, 2022. On March 10, 2022, this Court placed Respondent on interim suspension. In re Perkins, S.C. Sup. Ct. Order dated Mar. 10, 2022 (Howard Adv. Sh. No. 11 at 15).

Following the incident, Respondent contacted Lawyers Helping Lawyers (LHL) for assistance and subsequently entered into a one-year monitoring contract. Additionally, Respondent admitted herself into an intensive outpatient program with Prisma Health Behavioral Care Day Treatment. Respondent successfully completed the outpatient program and was discharged on April 20, 2022.

On April 6, 2022, the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office exercised prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the charge against Respondent. On May 17, 2022, the charge against Respondent was expunged from her public record.

If reinsted, Respondent must comply with a two-year monitoring program. (Mike Frisch)