Jan 5, 2006 5:42 pm US/Central
Court Reinstates Janklow's Law License
Pierre, S.D. (AP) ―
Former Rep. Bill Janklow's license to practice law was ordered reinstated by the South Dakota Supreme Court on Thursday, two years after it was suspended over a deadly auto accident that ended Janklow's political career and sent him to jail.
The high court said restoring Janklow's license would pose no public threat because the former congressman's offenses were unrelated to the practice of law and did not involve fraud or other dishonesty.
Janklow, a former four-term governor, was automatically suspended from the practice of law after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter in 2003 for running a stop sign and killing a motorcyclist. The Republican politician served 100 days in jail and cannot drive until his probation is up next January.
Thursday's 4-1 decision, made by a substitute panel of five circuit judges, followed a recommendation by the State Bar's Disciplinary Board. The judge who sentenced Janklow had recommended waiting until his probation had ended.
"There was no evidence presented to suggest that the public needs protection from Janklow's conduct as an attorney," the court said. A substitute panel heard the case because Janklow had a hand in appointing all five of the high court's justices.
Janklow, 66, told the Black Hills Pioneer he was elated that he will once again practice law. "I love doing it, and I've been pretty good at doing it," he said.
Janklow had claimed after the accident that his judgment was impaired because of low blood sugar resulting from diabetes.
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