The South Dakota Supreme Court has issued a ruling to suspend former state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s law license for six months due to his actions following a fatal accident involving a pedestrian, which ultimately led to his political downfall. The court stated that Ravnsborg breached the “Rules of Professional Conduct” and showed dishonesty about his phone usage, calling into question the integrity of his statements regarding the incident. The court expressed concerns about how his actions reflected poorly on the legal profession and obstructed justice.
Ravnsborg, a Republican who was elected in 2018, was impeached and removed from office less than two years after the 2020 accident where 55-year-old Joe Boever was fatally struck while walking along a rural highway. Despite a disciplinary board of the South Dakota State Bar recommending a 26-month suspension of Ravnsborg’s law license, the court decided on a six-month suspension instead.
During a hearing before the South Dakota Supreme Court in February, Ravnsborg expressed remorse to the Boever family, stating that he prays for them daily. His attorney, Michael Butler, did not respond to messages seeking comment on whether they would appeal the court’s decision.
Ravnsborg settled the criminal case in 2021 by pleading no contest to traffic misdemeanors and was fined. He also reached an undisclosed settlement with Boever’s widow the same year. Prosecutors during the 2022 impeachment hearing highlighted how Ravnsborg emphasized his position as attorney general to law enforcement following the accident. His defense lawyer argued that Ravnsborg was merely responding when questioned about his role.
The Supreme Court’s suspension of Ravnsborg’s law license underscores the consequences of his actions and the impact they had on his career and the legal profession as a whole.
