Nov 4, 2008

Good evening. I came to this election inspired by my commitment to Dorchester County, and even as the ballots are counted and I congratulate my opponent on her victory, I remain firm in that commitment. I thank you for your support, I thank you for your votes, and I thank you for your commitment to our county and the people who live here. Tonight, of course, I do feel a bit like that Kentucky boy who stubbed his toe while running, as Abraham Lincoln told it: the boy said, I’m too old to cry, but I hurt too much to laugh.  Tomorrow, though, is another day, and I will start it with renewed vigor, the same goals in mind, and with people, still and always, my priority # 1.

Dreama Pruett

MELINDA LUCKA, PROFESSOR OF LAW, ENDORSES DREAMA PRUETT AS THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE FOR DORCHESTER COUNTY PROBATE JUDGE!

Vote for Dreama Pruett. You can absolutely depend on her to be on duty for you and for Dorchester County.

JUST THE FACTS!

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROBATE LAWYER AND A PROBATE JUDGE? 

There is a difference between a probate lawyer, whom you hire and pay for legal advice and representation of your claim (right or wrong), and a probate judge, who is elected by the people to ensure proper conduct of court proceedings and to deliver fair and rightful decisions. It would be improper for a probate judge to act like a probate lawyer.

DO YOU HAVE TO BE A LAWYER TO BE A PROBATE JUDGE?

In a word, no.  According to the South Carolina Code of Laws, being a lawyer does not provide a single required qualification for the office or functions of probate judge. There is no doubt that if being a lawyer had been considered necessary, the lawyers who authored the Code of Laws would certainly have included it as a requirement.

Indeed, in South Carolina until 1868, probate courts were known as “courts of the ordinary,” and probate judges were called “district ordinaries,” not “judges”—and they were not lawyers.

You may also ask a similar question.  Do you have to be a lawyer to be a justice of the peace or magistrate?  The answer is the same, no. You might well ask, "Does being a lawyer make one a good judge?"

In brief, anyone who claims that being a lawyer qualifies for the office of probate judge is simply being dishonest and guilty of deception.

CAN THE PROBATE JUDGE GIVE LEGAL COUNSEL TO INDIVIDUALS APPEARING IN PROBATE COURT?

No.  The probate judge is not allowed to dispense legal advice.   To do so would pose a conflict of interest and be highly inappropriate.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROBATE JUDGE?

The probate judge is the guarantor of justice in the areas of jurisdiction delegated to the probate court.  The probate judgeship is unique: it is the only judgeship elected by and representative of the people, unlike all other judgeships, such as for circuit courts, which are appointed by state officials.

Accordingly, a probate judge, although knowledgeable in the applicable laws and legal instruments, requires not legal scholarship but rather the special ability of understanding and evaluating the intricacies of human relationships.  The probate judge must possess and be able to apply people skills and extensive, varied life experience to ensure that the court’s decisions are justly based on the meaningful elements of those human relationships. 

A probate judge lacking maturity and personally unfamiliar with the hardships of life may be easily misled by the deceptive superficial features that arise prominently from the very complexity of human interactions.

According to the South Carolina Code of Laws, the qualifications for probate judge are

1) citizen of the United States and of South Carolina, 2) at least 21 years of age,

3) qualified to vote in the county in question, and 4) have either a college degree (bachelor’s) or 4 years’ experience in the probate office.

WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROBATE JUDGE?

In addition to meeting the qualifications stipulated in the South Carolina Code of Laws, I have the qualifications essential to establishing and maintaining the highest standards of service to the county and its citizens…standards that become evident only after an administrator has achieved sufficient maturity and exposure to the varied problems of life; standards that cannot be weakened or nullified by the owing of favors to powerful local politicians.

I am a long-time resident of Dorchester County, familiar with its people, with their values, with their problems and acceptable solutions, and deeply troubled by the uncaring politicians who have sponged off this county’s taxpayers for years.  I am determined to curtail Dorchester’s self-serving political machine and, especially, to fulfill the people’s desire for open honesty in public officials.  As Winston Churchill said during a critical point in World War II, “This may not be the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning.”

I have for many years been a public advocate, appearing in court, attending local council meetings, all at my own expense, to help those who are overwhelmed and powerless in dealing with the system but who deserve a fair hearing and a chance for remedy.

I have long been known as a community activist in the welfare of the helpless, especially children and animals, and in the improvement of educational infrastructure, such as public libraries.

I am also long recognized as a business leader in the Dorchester community, knowledgeable in the economy of the county, experienced in its major financial transactions, and steadfastly opposed to unwise or uncaring political decisions (such as endless, repetitive tax increases) and their destructive monetary consequences for Dorchester’s citizens.

As a business owner, I have a lifetime of  expertise in business, financial, and legal transactions.  I have earned and held the public trust throughout my career of 33 years.  My reputation for treating others with respect, openness, and efficiency is well established and widely known.  In my professional capacity I acquired expertise in a myriad of legal instruments, including those dealing with estate planning, powers of attorney, guardianship, insurance, real estate contracts, escrow, deeds, mortgages, mental competency, personal and corporate investments, taxation, notes, non-profit organizations, wills, trusts, and other matters falling under the aegis of probate.  I also take pride in the fact that during my long business career I have helped thousands of people fulfill the American dream of home ownership and financial security.

On a more pragmatic level, I have proven leadership, administrative skills, and managerial proficiency, attributes that lend themselves to a smoothly run and efficient courtroom, with a strong adherence to an economizing bottom line. 

And finally, as probate judge I am committed to adding to this by treating people always fairly and with dignity in my courtroom, with full regard for the consequences of any decisions made there.  I am also committed to making schedules, records, and decisions with opinions easily available to the public, without fees.  And I am further committed to respecting the taxpayers’ burden, to avoiding unnecessary delays in the adjudication of justice.  And ethically my most important commitment, I will always be answerable to the people.