Chief Appellate Defender Robert Michael Dudek, of Columbia; and E. Brandon Gaskins, of Moore & Van Allen, PLLC, of Charleston, both for Appellant. Attorney General Alan McCrory Wilson and Jonathan Scott Matthews, both of Columbia, for Respondent.

Randy Collins appeals from his first-degree arson and conspiracy convictions asserting the trial court erred in (1) ruling his statement admissible when it was induced by deception regarding its use, promises of leniency, threats of severe punishment, and other factors rendering it involuntarily made and (2) refusing to require further evaluation of him for competency to stand trial when the Department of Mental Health examiners concluded that there was indication he suffered intellectual disabilities.

Ashley Caroline Biggers and Vito Michael Wicevic, both of Columbia, for Appellant-Respondent. David Eliot Rothstein, of Rothstein Law Firm, P.A., of Greenville, for Respondent-Appellant.

This is a cross-appeal from the Administrative Law Court's (ALC) award of attorneys' fees. The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) argues the case was a "disciplinary action" and not a "civil action" covered by section 15-77-300 (authorizing attorneys' fees against the State). DHEC also contends its case had a reasonable basis and that fees are barred even if the statute applies. James Davenport argues the ALC erred in not awarding the full amount of requested fees and in declining to award costs.

E. Charles Grose, Jr., of Grose Law Firm, of Greenwood, for Appellant. Annie Laurie Rumler and Christina Catoe Bigelow, both of Columbia, for Respondent.

Quincy Allen appeals the Administrative Law Court's (ALC) dismissal of his appeal from the denial of his inmate grievance. On appeal, he argues the ALC erred by holding it lacked jurisdiction to hear his case because the South Carolina Department of Corrections' (SCDC's) denial of his visitation with persons he did not know prior to his incarceration implicated a state-created liberty interest.

Charles Harry McDonald, of Belser & Belser, PA, of Columbia; Beth B. Richardson, of Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC, of Columbia; Brady Ryan Thomas, of Richardson, Thomas, Haltiwanger, Moore & Lewis, of Columbia; Terry E. Richardson, Jr., of Richardson, Thomas, Haltiwanger, Moore & Lewis, of Barnwell; and Matthew Anderson Nickles, of Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC, of Columbia, all for Appellants. Steven Raymond Kropski, of Charleston; and David W. Overstreet, of Mount Pleasant, both for Respondent.

Amanda Leigh Huskins and Jay R. Huskins (collectively, the Huskins) appeal the circuit court's order granting Mungo Homes, LLC's (Mungo's) motion to dismiss and compel arbitration, arguing the circuit court erred by (1) finding the limitations period contained in the arbitration provision was not one-sided, oppressive, and unconscionable, (2) finding the arbitration provision applied mutually to Mungo and the Huskins, (3) failing to consider the one-sided and oppressive terms of a limited warranty provision in determining whether the arbitration agreement was unconscionable, and (4) granting the motion to dismiss the Huskins' claims involving the limited warranty provision even though it concluded the arbitration provision did not include claims arising under the limited warranty provision.

Eric Marc Poulin, of Anastopoulo Law Firm, LLC, of Charleston and Roy T. Willey, IV, of Charleston, all for Appellant. Michelle N Endemann, of Charleston; and Michael T. Coulter, of Clarkson, Walsh & Coulter, P.A., of Greenville, both for Respondent.

Debra O'Connor, as personal representative of the estate of Sandy Lynn Shook, argues the circuit court erred in granting Aaron Collier's motion to enforce settlement because no settlement agreement existed when Progressive Northern Insurance Company issued a second check after the deadline to an address other than the one listed in the offer of compromise.

Dayne C. Phillips, of Columbia, for Appellant. Attorney General Alan McCrory Wilson and Joshua Abraham Edwards, both of Columbia, for Respondent.

James Kester appeals his convictions for eight count of first-degree assault and battery and one count of third-degree assault and battery. Kester argues the trial court erred in permitting Kester to represent himself at trial, in failing to grant a mistrial after giving a coercive Allen charge, and in imposing consecutive sentences amounting to a de facto life sentence.

David Eliot Rothstein, of Rothstein Law Firm, P.A., of Greenville, for Appellant. Joseph Owen Smith, of Smith Hudson Law, LLC, of Greenville, for Respondents.

In this action brought pursuant to the South Carolina Payment of Wages Act, Appellant Glenn P. Howell ("Employee") challenges the circuit court's order dismissing the action for lack of proper venue. Employee argues the circuit court erred by failing to construe his ambiguous employment contract with Respondent Covalent Chemical, LLC ("Employer") against Employer because Employer drafted the contract. Employee also argues the circuit court improperly disregarded section 15-7-120(A) of the South Carolina Code because the statute overrides contractual forum selection provisions.

William Stevens Brown, V, Miles Edward Coleman and David Curry Dill, all of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP, of Greenville, for Appellant. James G. Carpenter, of Carpenter Law Firm, PC, of Greenville, for Respondent.

In this appeal, 5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star) appeals the trial court's order entering an entry of default and default judgment on Peek Performance, Inc.'s (Peek) counterclaims and ordering 5Star to respond to Peek's discovery requests. 5Star argues the trial court erred in (1) entering an entry of default and a default judgment when Peek's pleading did not contain a claim to which a responsive pleading was required; (2) entering a default judgment before entering an entry of default; (3) awarding a default judgment without holding a damages hearing; (4) denying 5Star's motions to set aside the entry of default, to set aside the default judgment, and to alter or amend its judgment under Rules 55(c), 60(b), and 59(e), SCRCP, respectively; (5) compelling discovery when Peek had not requested that relief; and (6) failing to apply Virginia law.

D. Malloy McEachin, Jr., of McEachin & McEachin, P.A., of Florence, for Respondents. Rose Mary Parham, of Parham Law Firm, LLC, of Florence, for Appellant.

The County of Florence filed an action seeking injunctive relief against Carol Eagerton and a declaration that Hewitt Cemetery Road is a public road under the theory of a prescriptive easement or through public dedication. Eagerton appeals the circuit court's determination that the public, by dedication or prescription, acquired the right to use Hewitt Cemetery Road as part of the county road system.

Tommy Arthur Thomas, of Irmo, for Appellant. Attorney General Alan McCrory Wilson, Deputy Attorney General Donald J. Zelenka, Senior Assistant Deputy Attorney General Melody Jane Brown, and Caroline M. Scrantom, all of Columbia, for Respondent.

In this criminal appeal, Meleke Stewart asserts the trial court erred (1) in admitting evidence retrieved from a warrantless search of his cell phone's data and (2) in admitting incriminating statements he made during custodial interrogation due to the unavailability of the interrogating officer at trial. We affirm.

J. Lewis Cromer and Shannon Marie Polvi, both of Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, LLC, of Columbia, for Appellant. Michael H. Montgomery, of Montgomery Willard, LLC, of Columbia, for Respondent Kenneth L. Childs. Eugene Hamilton Matthews, of Richardson Plowden & Robinson, PA, of Columbia, for Respondent Denise C. Lawson.

Appellant Angela Bain, a former Chester County School District Superintendent, brought causes of action for defamation and civil conspiracy against Respondents Kenneth Childs (attorney) and Denise Lawson (Chair of the Chester County School Board). Appellant alleged the Respondents conspired to terminate Appellant's contract with the Chester County School District. Respondents filed respective 12(b)(6) motions to dismiss the action. Pursuant to Respondent Childs's 12(b)(6) motion, the circuit court dismissed Appellant's claims for defamation against Respondent Childs, and the civil conspiracy claim against both Respondents. The circuit court denied Respondent Lawson's motion to dismiss the defamation action. On appeal, Appellant argues the circuit court erred by granting Respondents Childs motion to dismiss. Appellant argues: (1) the circuit court improperly relied on documents outside of pleadings for the basis of dismissal; and (2) the circuit court incorrectly found all of Respondent's Childs' conduct, statements, and communications were within the attorney-client privilege. Furthermore, Appellant contends she should be allowed leave to amend her complaint.

Wesley D. Few, of Wesley D. Few LLC, of Greenville, for Appellant. Margaret Nicole Fox and James Mixon Griffin, both of Griffin ? Davis, of Columbia, for Respondents.

In this LLC member dispute, Justin Ludy appeals the circuit court's denial of his motion to compel arbitration of certain claims because the parties' Operating Agreement provided "any dispute" about arbitrability would be decided in arbitration.