State v. Brown

Justice PLEICONES:

We granted certiorari to review the Court of Appeals’ opinion in State v. Brown, 351 S.C. 522, 570 S.E.2d 559 (Ct.App.2002). We reverse.

FACTS

Brown received a traffic citation on March 13, 1996, in Greenwood County, for Failure to Register a Vehicle and Operating an Uninsured Vehicle. A trial was held in Greenwood County by a magistrate on May 8, 1997. After Brown was convicted, he moved for a new trial. A new trial was granted by the magistrate.

At his second trial on July 16, 1997, Brown was found guilty by a Greenwood County jury, Magistrate Lasonia Williams presiding.…