IN RE: Harold W. PRYOR (1998)

In this judicial disciplinary matter, respondent and Disciplinary Counsel have entered into an agreement under Rule 21, RJDE, Rule 502, SCACR.   In the agreement, respondent admits misconduct and consents to a public reprimand.   We accept the agreement.

Respondent is a former Spartanburg County Magistrate.   On or about October 10, 1997, respondent pled guilty to one count of misconduct in office pursuant to S.C.Code Ann. § 8-1-80 (Supp.1997).   This is a serious crime as defined in Rule 2(z), RJDE.   By his conduct, respondent has also violated Rules 7(a)(1) (violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct) and 7(a)(3) (conviction of a serious crime), RJDE, as well as the following provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct, Rule 501, SCACR:  Section 1A (failure to maintain and observe high standards of conduct to preserve the independence and integrity of the judiciary);  Section 2(A) (failure to respect and comply with the law, and failure to conduct himself in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary);  and Section 3(B)(2) (failure to be faithful to the law and maintain professional competence in it).

Because respondent is no longer a magistrate and because he has agreed to not hereafter seek nor accept any judicial position within the State of South Carolina, we have decided to accept the agreement for a public reprimand.   Accordingly, respondent is hereby publicly reprimanded for his conduct.

PUBLIC REPRIMAND.

PER CURIAM:

BURNETT, J., not participating.