Alston v. Black River Electric Cooperative

I respectfully dissent. The majority concludes jurors who are members of an electric cooperative, which is a party to the suit, are eligible to serve as jurors, subject to a challenge for cause in the particular case. I disagree.

ISSUE

Should South Carolina adopt a per se rule of disqualification from jury service for members of an electric cooperative who is a party to the case?

LAW/ANALYSIS

Fundamental to our system of courts is the tenet that litigants are guaranteed a fair and impartial jury. See Brown v. S.H. Kress & Co., 170 S.C. 178, 170 S.E. 142 (1933). South Carolina Code Ann. §…