Opinion ID: 2503728
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Propriety of the Sanctions

Text: As explained in Runyon v. Wright , a trial judge has wide discretion in ordering sanctions. Judge Baxley found Appellants' second removal attempt to be reprehensible and an improper delay tactic that cost the court system and the other party significant resources, time, and money. For that reason, Judge Baxley imposed stiff sanctions. While the unappealed portion of the ordered sanctions are standard and appropriate, we find the sanctions appealed from exceed the bounds of a judge's discretion. The award to the other party of its detailed, itemized costs and fees incurred as a result of the improper removal plainly is allowed under the express language of Rule 11, SCRCP. However, we find Judge Baxley abused his discretion in going beyond the conventional awards of costs and fees when he required Appellants to reimburse the South Carolina Judicial Department for the cost of the court's salary and benefits for the week it was unable to proceed with the scheduled trial, to reimburse the Charleston County Clerk of Court for the expense it incurred in summoning and administering the jury panel, to pay $5,000.00 to the Access to Justice Commission with a letter of apology to Robin Wheeler, and to pay $50.00 to each juror with a letter of apology. Accordingly, we reverse those sanctions.