Former AG Hit With Law License Suspension After Fatal Accident

Former South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s law license has been suspended for six months following a fatal accident.

At a Glance

The South Dakota Supreme Court has suspended Ravnsborg’s law license for six months.
The suspension stems from actions following a deadly pedestrian accident in 2020.
The court has cited dishonesty about phone use and misuse of his position as Attorney General.
Ravnsborg was impeached and removed from office in 2022.

Supreme Court Delivers Scathing Rebuke

The South Dakota Supreme Court has dealt a significant blow to former Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, suspending his law license for six months. This decision comes in the wake of a fatal accident in 2020 and subsequent actions that the court deemed unbecoming of the state’s top law enforcement official. The ruling highlights a series of missteps and dishonest behavior that ultimately led to Ravnsborg’s downfall.

The suspension, effective immediately, requires Ravnsborg to reimburse the court and the State Bar of South Dakota for the costs of the proceedings before his license can be reinstated. This action by the court serves as a stark reminder of the high ethical standards expected of legal professionals, especially those in positions of public trust.

The South Dakota Supreme Court is suspending former Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s law license for six months.https://t.co/3yUhrrBAPp

— SDPB News (@SDPBNews) September 20, 2024

The Fatal Accident and Its Aftermath

The events leading to Ravnsborg’s suspension began on September 12, 2020, when he struck and killed pedestrian Joe Boever while driving home from a political fundraiser. Ravnsborg reportedly called 911, identifying himself as the attorney general, but claimed he had hit “something” and did not find Boever’s body until the next day. The subsequent investigation revealed a pattern of dishonesty that would ultimately cost Ravnsborg his position and now, temporarily, his ability to practice law.

“Ravnsborg’s patent dishonesty concerning the use of his phone, as well as the developed forensic evidence, raise genuine questions about the integrity of his statements regarding the night of the accident,” the ruling states. It adds that Ravnborg’s behavior reflects poorly on the “legal profession as a whole and impeded the administration of justice.”

The court’s decision emphasizes the gravity of Ravnsborg’s actions, particularly his alleged dishonesty about cell phone use while driving and his attempts to use his position as attorney general to influence the investigation. These actions not only violated the Rules of Professional Conduct but also eroded public trust in the legal system.

Implications for Public Office and the Legal Profession

The suspension of Ravnsborg’s law license serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibilities that come with public office and legal practice. Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen’s words in the court’s unanimous ruling underscore the severity of Ravnsborg’s misconduct:

“From our review of the record, several of Ravnsborg’s statements after the accident raise significant questions about his honesty and truthfulness,” Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen said in the ruling. “Each decision he made was influenced by personal aspirations and political survival rather than his responsibility to serve the public and uphold the integrity of his office.”

As the legal and political communities in South Dakota reflect on this case, it serves as a somber reminder of the tragic loss of Joe Boever’s life and the importance of accountability at all levels of government and the legal system. The suspension of Ravnsborg’s law license is not just a personal setback for the former attorney general but a call for all legal professionals to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in their service to the public.