Webb v. Sowell

I respectfully dissent. Appellant argues that S.C.Code Ann. § 63-3-530(A)(17), as interpreted by Risinger v. Risinger, 273 S.C. 36, 253 S.E.2d 652 (1979), violates the equal protection clauses of the United States and South Carolina constitutions. I disagree.

“In reviewing a statute challenged on equal protection grounds, great deference is given to the classification created, and it will be sustained if supported by any reasonable hypothesis and not plainly arbitrary.” Mitchell v. Owens, 304 S.C. 23, 24-25, 402 S.E.2d 888, 889 (1991), citing Samson v. Greenville Hosp. Sys., 295 S.C. 359, 368…