State Supreme Court Slaps Controversial Punishment on Former AG

capitol building of S Dakota

Former Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s law license has been suspended for six months following a 2020 crash that killed pedestrian Joe Boever.

At a Glance

  • The South Dakota Supreme Court has suspended the law license of former Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg for six months.
  • The suspension is effective immediately.
  • In 2020, Ravnsborg was involved in a crash that killed pedestrian Joe Boever.
  • Ravnsborg was impeached and removed from office in 2022 but served no jail time.
  • The court criticized Ravnsborg’s dishonesty and obstruction of justice following the incident.

Background on the Suspension

The South Dakota Supreme Court has imposed a six-month suspension on the law license of former Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. This decision came after a tragic incident in 2020, where Ravnsborg struck and killed pedestrian Joe Boever with his vehicle. Violations of professional conduct, including dishonesty and obstruction of justice, were highlighted as key factors in the court’s ruling.

Despite expressing regret publicly, the court found significant issues with Ravnsborg’s actions post-crash. He faced impeachment and removal from office in 2022 for his role in the incident and the ensuing investigation. The suspension is a clear message about the importance of ethical integrity in legal practice.

Court’s Criticism and Findings

The court ruled that Ravnsborg’s behavior, including lying about his cell phone use during the incident and using his position inappropriately, was akin to an obstruction of justice. The Disciplinary Board initially recommended a 26-month suspension, but the Supreme Court reduced it to six months.

“His evolving explanation regarding the extent of his cell phone use while driving involved actual dishonesty and misrepresentations,” the ruling stated. “He only reluctantly admitted that he ‘looked at stuff’ on his phone after he was confronted with specific information found on his phone.”

“While Ravnsborg is unlikely to continue practicing law in South Dakota, we conclude suspension is necessary to preserve the integrity of the profession and deter like conduct by other attorneys.”

The court emphasized the importance of this suspension as a deterrent to similar conduct by other attorneys, questioning Ravnsborg’s ethical integrity and actions that reflected adversely on the legal profession.

Consequences and Future Implications

Ravnsborg must reimburse the court and the State Bar of South Dakota for the costs incurred during the proceedings before his license can be reinstated. Chief Justice Steven Jensen noted that the misdemeanors committed by Ravnsborg did not warrant an automatic suspension, like in the felony conviction of former Governor Bill Janklow. Jensen’s comment underscores the complexity and gravity of Ravnsborg’s situation.

Currently, Ravnsborg does not plan to practice law in South Dakota. He is also prohibited from holding any state office. This decision underscores the aim of preserving the integrity of the legal profession and deterring similar conduct by other attorneys.

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