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.
Makes me sick.
I hope some enterprising citizens follow the guy around with a videocamera when he's behind the wheel.
this POS Jerklo should still be in jail
No kidding.
Some are more equal than others.
Well, if someone catches him doing what I suspect he'll go back to doing behind the wheel, jail is where he'll end up again shortly.
I wonder which company would be dumb enough to insure the guy?
lawyers in robes protecting lawyers in suits.
At a Supreme Court hearing in October, Janklow said he has never knowingly violated any of the legal rules that governor lawyers' conduct and wants to return to practicing law.
"Every day I understand that somebody died in a traffic accident. I don't think it affects my ability to be a lawyer," Janklow told the justices at the end of the hearing. "I can just tell you that I'm sorry for what happened, and I think people understand that. On the other hand, I've enjoyed being a lawyer. I like practicing law."
Notice that Janklow doesn't actually acknowledge killing the victim.
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Gee, the biker he killed probably liked being alive and we do need yet another lawyer.
If I am named Dictator of the WorldTm, Jankow would have to walk anyplace he wanted to go and I'd have to think hard on if he would be allowed shoes.
You're welcome. I couldn't believe it when I saw this on Fox News. Ugh!
Yes, you moron. We DO understand that. We understand that YOU KILLED HIM!!! He probably enjoyed living as much as you do, but you took that away from him. What makes YOU more special than him, that you get to continue doing what you like, and he gets to be, well, dead??
Everybody tells me that my riding is dangerous.
No it's not.
It people like this that are dangerous for us.
Everyone please be careful. Watch out for cagers and ride like you're invisible.
THAT is EXCELLENT advice!!
Good question.
guess it's not "theft" to take a life or "fraud" to run stop signs at 70 MPH and lie about it.
and he had a well-known history of doing crap like this and claiming some phantom car from nowhere made him speed,swerve,brake,etc.
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