News Summary
David Charles Johnston, a lawyer from Summerville, has had his law license suspended by the South Carolina Supreme Court due to his involvement in the January 6 Capitol assault. The suspension is retroactive to May 24, 2022, following Johnston’s guilty plea. Alongside a neighbor, he faced federal charges for participating in the riot, leading to probation, confinement, and fines. The court’s decision emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct within the legal profession amidst national scrutiny of lawyer behavior linked to the Capitol insurrection.
Columbia, South Carolina – The South Carolina Supreme Court has issued a ruling suspending the law license of Summerville lawyer David Charles Johnston, effective retroactively from May 24, 2022. The ruling, which took place on July 23, 2025, is a direct result of Johnston’s involvement in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, where he pleaded guilty to participating in the breach.
Johnston, along with his neighbor Chadwick Clifton, was charged in May 2022 for their participation in the Capitol incident, which involved approximately 1,500 individuals charged nationwide. Despite initially planning to plead not guilty after his arrest and subsequent termination from his position at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, Johnston eventually admitted to one misdemeanor count of parading in a Capitol building. As part of his plea agreement, other charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to three years of probation, 21 days of intermittent confinement, and fined $2,500, along with $500 in restitution.
The Supreme Court’s ruling comes in the wake of Johnston’s acknowledgment of misconduct and violation of professional conduct rules. Johnston had previously consented to the suspension of his law license following his arrest. In addition to the suspension, the Court mandated that Johnston cover the costs associated with the investigation and prosecution of his disciplinary case.
Following the decision, Johnston expressed approval of the Supreme Court’s ruling and described it as fair in its application of the law. The suspension not only reflects Johnston’s actions during the Capitol breach but also highlights broader discussions on ethics and accountability within the legal profession in South Carolina.
This case is part of a wider trend as legal professionals across the country face increased scrutiny for their actions related to the Capitol riot. The event has sparked national conversations regarding the responsibilities of lawyers, their conduct, and the implications of their actions outside the courtroom. Johnston is among a notable number of individuals across various professions who have faced legal repercussions for their activities related to the January 6 events.
In summary, Johnston’s law license was suspended in response to his guilty plea associated with serious federal charges stemming from the U.S. Capitol attack. This ruling reinforces the legal profession’s standards and emphasizes the accountability of lawyers for their conduct, both in their professional lives and beyond.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Charleston City Paper: U.S. Supreme Court Allows S.C. to Defund Planned Parenthood
- Live 5 News: U.S. Supreme Court Justice’s Sister Targeted with Bomb Threat
- Count on 2: Sister of Supreme Court Justice Targeted with Bomb Threat
- ABC News 4: Sister of Supreme Court Justice Targeted in Charleston Bomb Threat
- NOLA: Amy Coney Barrett Bomb Threat
- Wikipedia: Supreme Court of the United States
- Google Search: U.S. Supreme Court
- Google Scholar: Legal Ethics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: United States Supreme Court
- Google News: Charleston South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
