Cody Mitchell Explained

Cody Mitchell
State House1:South Carolina
District1:65th
Term Start1:December 6, 2022
Predecessor1:Jay Lucas
Birth Name:Cody Tarlton Mitchell
Birth Date:11 June 1986
Birth Place:Greeneville, Tennessee
Party:Republican
Spouse:Amanda Kathryn (m. 2015)
Education:Presbyterian College (BA), University of South Carolina, (JD)
Branch:United States Army National Guard
Serviceyears:2008–2012

Cody Mitchell is an American politician and lawyer who is currently serving as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 65th district. Mitchell is a Republican.

Early life and career

Born in Greenville, Tennessee, Mitchell joined the military in 2008 and retired in 2012. He later served as a prosecutor in the South Carolina Army National Guard with the rank of major.[1] He graduated from Presbyterian College with his bachelor of arts, and from the University of South Carolina with his Juris Doctor.

Mitchell became a law partner at the firm "Lucas, White & Mitchell" beginning in 2011. Jay Lucas, Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, was one of his partners.[2] [3]

Mitchell served as a municipal judge for the towns of Bethune (2013–2021) and Hartsville (2013–2021). He also served as a municipal judge for the towns of McBee, Jefferson, and Biphopville.[4]

DUI

Mitchell was arrested on May 8, 2021, in Chesterfield County by the South Carolina Highway Patrol for DUI after refusing to submit to an improperly requested breathalyzer test. He was also charged with having an open container of alcohol while driving.[5] In early June, all charges were dismissed for lack of evidence by the court.[3] Critics accused Mitchell of using his status and closeness to the Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives to get the charges dropped.

Political career

Mitchell was elected in 2022 to the South Carolina House of Representatives for the 65th district from Sumter. He succeeded Jay Lucas, who was also one of his law partners and his mentor. Mitchell was sworn in on December 6, 2022.[6] He serves on the judiciary and rules committee.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mitchell . Cody . Meet Cody Republican for State House . December 21, 2022.
  2. Web site: Cody Tarlton Mitchell . scbar.org . December 21, 2022.
  3. Web site: Smith . Glenn . DUI charge dismissed against former judge and law partner to SC House speaker . Post and Courier . December 21, 2022.
  4. Web site: Representative Cody T. Mitchell . scstatehouse.gov . South Carolina General Assembly . December 21, 2022.
  5. Web site: Folks . Will . DUI, Open Container Charges Against South Carolina Municipal Judge Dropped . FITSNEWS . December 21, 2022.
  6. Web site: Budds . Becky . 'It’s time to start governing': 27 New SC House members sworn in . WLTX.com . December 21, 2022.