The state Judicial Merit Selection Commission Wednesday recommended two Orangeburg attorneys and a Sandy Run attorney as candidates to fill the seat of retiring Circuit Court Judge James Williams.
The three picked by the commission for the 1st Judicial Circuit's "Seat 1" are Edgar Warren Dickson, James "Jay" Benjamin Jackson Jr. and Jeffrey P. Bloom. Lawmakers will elect a replacement during the next legislative session.
Once the list of nominees is presented to the General Assembly, most likely on Jan. 15, the report becomes final and candidates will be free after 48 hours to seek lawmakers' support. Lawmakers are also free to give pledges of support.
During a seven-hour hearing Tuesday at the State House, the commission questioned all eight candidates for the single judicial seat.
Others vying for the seat were Orangeburg County Probate Judge Pandora Jones-Glover and Orangeburg County attorney D'Anne Haydel. Williams testified against Jones-Glover during Tuesday's hearing, while an Orangeburg County woman testified against Haydel.
Summerville attorney Maite Murphy, Orangeburg attorney Michael Horger and Summerville attorney James Chellis were other candidates.
Edgar Warren Dickson
During his testimony Tuesday, Dickson cited his 31 years of experience in circuit, probate and magistrate courts and on worker's compensation cases. He said he only lacks experience in class action lawsuits, which he would address by talking with other judges who have experience in the field.
Dickson, who lives in Orangeburg, has been a defense attorney in criminal cases since 2000. Before that, he worked on family court cases. He said he can relate to victims of crime as the victim of a burglary. Also, his son is an armed robbery victim and his first cousin was murdered.
"A judge has to maintain control in the courtroom," Dickson said when asked the appropriate demeanor of a judge. And he said the art of listening is key, as "A judge has to take the time to listen to people and make sure they get a full and fair hearing."
Dickson said he would address backlogs by having pre-trial hearings, meetings with attorneys and computerized tracking of dockets.
Dickson could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
James "Jay" Benjamin Jackson Jr.
Jackson, who lives in Orangeburg, has practiced law for about 28 years. He served as a part-time public defender in Orangeburg for about 3-1/2 years in the 1980s, handling a large number of criminal cases.
In 1988, Jackson became a full-time assistant solicitor for the 1st Judicial Circuit. He held the position for two years.
In 1990, Jackson joined the law firm of Yarborough, Hutto and Jackson, where he defended governmental agencies in civil cases, and served as a plaintiff's attorney in auto accident and real estate litigation.
"I have appeared in just about any type of court you can appear in," he said. "I feel like that experience of 28 years ... qualifies me to be a good circuit judge. I feel like I have a pretty good view of how a court should be run."
Jackson said the only area he would need to brush up on is worker's compensation.
Personal integrity is key for a judge, he said.
"I am not somebody that will embarrass anybody by what I do outside the courtroom," he said.
Jackson said he was sued in the mid-1980s by a person he defended. His client later sued him for failing to get his sentence reduced. The case was summarily dismissed, he said.
Jackson suggested the use of mediation and judicial intervention as well as staff conferences to ensure cases are moving along.
Jackson said Wednesday his nomination is an honor considering the eight good lawyers seeking the position.
"I look forward to trying to win the position," he said.
Jeffrey P. Bloom
Bloom, who lives in Sandy Run but practices in Columbia, has been a lawyer for 25 years.
"I have come to know a lot of judges, a lot of public defenders," he said. Bloom said he has the legal knowledge, demeanor and experience to serve as circuit court judge.
Bloom said he was a public defender in Horry County for seven years, a public defender in Richland County for seven years and in private practice in Marion, Florence and Cherokee counties, to name a few places.
"I have a grasp of procedure, professionalism and decorum," he said. He said he would strive to be a courteous judge.
Bloom said all lawsuits filed against him were quickly dismissed.
Regarding the backlog of cases, Bloom said each county and case would have to be handled differently.
Bloom was questioned on his personal opinion on the death penalty and potential bias as a longtime public defender.
He said as a judge, he would be fair and give all a complete hearing, noting there have been many public defenders who have made successful judges.
"I bring that perspective of someone who ... understands sometimes how defendants either try to use the system or tell stories," Bloom said. "A judge has to enforce the law."
Bloom said the legal system has some death penalty "loopholes," but he noted he has never testified against capital punishment. He says he believes only a jury should decide such cases, not a judge.
"I understand it is a part of our law," he said. "I am a sworn officer of the law and an officer of the court."
Bloom could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.