Posted on 01/05/2006 1:47:59 PM PST by StarCMC
Former Rep. Bill Janklow, who resigned from Congress after being convicted in a deadly traffic accident, will have his law license reinstated next month, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
The decision followed a recommendation by the State Bar's Disciplinary Board. The judge who sentenced Janklow in the manslaughter trial had recommended waiting until Janklow's probation ends in January 2007. Instead, the license will be reinstated Feb. 15.
Janklow, a former four-term governor, was automatically suspended as a lawyer after a jury found him guilty in December 2003 of running a stop sign and killing motorcyclist Randy Scott, 55, in August 2003.
The Republican politician spent 100 days in jail, was put on probation and cannot drive for three years.
At a Supreme Court hearing in October, Janklow, 66, had asked for the license to be reinstated immediately.
"I can tell you that I'm sorry for what happened," Janklow said at the time.
In its ruling, the state Supreme Court said the return of Janklow's law license poses no threat to the public because his convictions were not related to the practice of law and did not involve fraud, deceit or dishonesty.
"While there are public concerns regarding Janklow's driving, there was no evidence presented to suggest that the public needs protection from Janklow's conduct as an attorney," Judge Glen Severson wrote for the high court. He added that Janklow "has had a long and distinguished career as an attorney."
The crash near Trent, S.D., ended Janklow's political career. He had dominated South Dakota politics for three decades, first as attorney general, then a four-term governor and finally the state's only member of the U.S. House.
Scott's motorcycle plowed into the side of Janklow's car as Janklow sped through a stop sign. Prosecutors said Janklow had a long habit of speeding, characterizing his driving as "awful and menacing."
The defense said Janklow, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 1998, did not stop or slow down because his judgment and driving skills were impaired by low blood sugar.
And I'll bet he does it again the moment he gets back behind the wheel. Boy, do I hope someone follows him with a video camera.
The guy is an obvious jackass.
He doesnt even name the fella instead he says, "somebody".
This is pathetic.
can't have that, the ACLU will get mad about his privacy invaded.
I wonder if the infamous Janklow will try to run for office again?
He's not exactly the favorite person of the local American Indian population either.
Hang 'em High ~ there is no justice!
Words to live by ~ I have and I've been riding since 1948.
"It people like this that are dangerous for us."
Correct.
Never had much problem on my own, even when being stupid.
Had daily problems with women driving suburbans, talking on a cell phones while smoking and drinking coffee with fake nails, as 5 children ran around in the back of their vehicles.
After a close call, my pregnant wife (with twins) and I had a sit-down over canned peaches about the bike, wherein I agreed to hang up the helmet until the kids were out of H.S.
16 years to go.
I don't care about his law license, I just hope he doesn't get his driver's license back.
$30,000 worth of fines and atty fees, mandatory weekly AAA and psyche. counseling (hard to do when you cant drive there) and had to sell his condo in order to move into an apartment across the street from his employeer (couldnt drive to work)
The system sucks!!!
THAT is EXCELLENT advice!!
In the old days when I used to ride motorcycles, I always understood that all of the other drivers on the road WERE in fact trying to kill me, and rode accordingly.
I know Janklow personally, campaigned for him, even had him in my home.
He really did some great services for So. Dakota and was well respected..............until his diabetes/twinkie defense. Many in our family are Harley riders and that episode kinda blew it for us. He had quite a reputation for speeding and blowing stop signs for years. Unfortunately, that resulted in a death. He will have to live with that forever.
I feel a bit embarrassed and ashamed of my affiliation with him now. His wife is a real sweetheart and I still feel sorry for her.
I feel sorry for his family too. He brought it on them, it's not their fault!
A friend of mine was killed by a drunk driver who was driving without a license after 2 previous DUI's. I have very little sympathy for your friend. That said, if he was a Senator from Massachusettes I'm sure he'd be vacationing in Palm Springs right about now.
I have medicated myself so as not to explode all over my monitor.......
JANKLOW IS A SLIMY SCUMSUCKING LOW RENT PAYOFF PLENTIFUL PIECE OF POLITICAL BURP SLURPING FUNGUS LAPPIN' GETTIN AWAY WITH MURDER REGERGITATED PUKE!
HEY JANKLOW....I'm giving you the finger in my mind!!
Sorry about your friend but I also didn't go into the entire facts about the 2nd dui.......
Quit sugar coating your thoughts! Tell us how you really feel!
I'm keying his face . . .
It's a good thing Janklow isn't a teacher or nurse...his license would have been permanently revoked with a felony conviction. Lawyers apparently don't care if they have scum balls in their profession.
Every single word of every single legal proceeding following Randy Scott's death was crafted specifically to obtain the posted preceeding judgement. Fraud, deceit, and dishonesty is the only way you come away with a compartmentalized judgement awarding a wrist slap to a habitual offender like janklow.
And Sturgis trailer faggot week hums along in yuppie heaven.
It ain't hummin with my money anymore!
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