The South Carolina Supreme Court has suspended an attorney six months for six months for entering the capitol illegally on January 6, 2021. On May 30, 2022, the respondent, David Charles Johnston, was charged with three misdemeanors. He self-reported his arrest and was placed on an interim suspension on May 24, 2022. On September 23, 2022, the attorney pleaded guilty to one count of Parading, Demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol in violation of 40 U.S.C. Section 5104(e)(2)(G). On January 20, 2025 he was pardoned by President Trump. The respondent admitted that the violated Rule 8.4(a) (prohibiting violating the rules of professional conduct); 8.4(b) (committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s fitness as a lawyer); and Rule 8.4(e) (prohibiting engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. The suspension was made retroactive to the date of his interim suspension. Apparently the lawyer was effectively suspended from May 24, 2022 to June 12, 2025.
