Corrupt Probate Judge Danny Singleton's Witch Hunt: Plans to Jail Widow on June 5 to Sabotage Her Lawsuit Against Him in Circuit Court
OCONEE PROBATE COURT
Pierce’s hearing in Circuit Court is crucial, yet Singleton’s plans to jail her on June 5, 2024, directly interfere with her ability to attend. Pierce has made it clear that the hearing violates her due process rights and that she needs time to respond and prepare her case, including deposing Singleton and his staff regarding their actions and statements..
Seneca, SC – Judge Danny Singleton’s relentless pursuit of Dorothy Pierce, the widow of Doyle Elton Pierce, has taken another disturbing turn. Singleton, known for his harsh judicial practices, has now targeted Mrs. Pierce with baseless threats of jail time, attempting to undermine her legal rights and her efforts to appeal his questionable orders.
Summons for an Illegal Invoice
On May 22, 2024, Mrs. Pierce was served with a summons to show cause why she had not paid an invoice that Judge Singleton had converted into a court order. The invoice, amounting to $413, was for probate records of her late husband's estate, requested on October 11, 2023. Despite assurances from the probate court clerk that the files would be ready in 10 days, they remained unprinted for over a month. This delay severely impacted Pierce's ability to file her appeal brief against an order issued by Judge Singleton, leading her to believe the delay was intentional to derail her appeal.
The Fight for Records and Subsequent Invoice
After improvising and filing her appeal without the necessary records, the probate court finally claimed the files were ready and sent an invoice for $413 in December 2023, giving Pierce 30 days to pay. In February 2024, Pierce filed a lawsuit against the probate court for extortion, harassment, and other causes of action against Judge Singleton. Despite being aware of the lawsuit, Singleton signed an order on April 15, 2024, falsely stating on the bench that the clerk never told Pierce the files would be ready in 10 days.
Summons and Threats of Jail Time
On May 22, 2024, Judge Singleton, acting as the complainant, issued a summons for Pierce to show cause why she should not be held in contempt and jailed. He scheduled a hearing for June 5, 2024, and mailed the summons, which Pierce contested, stating that summons must be served by personal delivery, not mail. To avoid further conflict, Pierce sent Dr. Jason Boyle to pay the $413 on May 24, 2024, which should have nullified the summons after the full payment was made.
Radical and Unjust Judicial Practices
The process employed by the probate court to collect the debt via a judge's order and subsequent threats of jail time is highly irregular. Typically, disputes over debts owed to government entities should not lead to immediate incarceration without due process. Singleton’s actions appear to be more about exerting control and intimidation rather than resolving a financial dispute.
New Summons and Continued Harassment
After Pierce fulfilled the payment order, Singleton continued his witch hunt by issuing new summons on May 28, 2024, demanding Pierce appear in court on June 5, 2024, to show cause why she should not be held in contempt for violating unspecified court orders. This new summons lacked any clear statement of which orders Pierce allegedly violated, highlighting Singleton's ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation.
Immediate Concerns
Pierce’s hearing in Circuit Court is crucial, yet Singleton’s plans to jail her on June 5, 2024, directly interfere with her ability to attend. Pierce has made it clear that the hearing violates her due process rights and that she needs time to respond and prepare her case, including deposing Singleton and his staff regarding their actions and statements.
Pierce's Letter to Singleton
In her letter, Pierce demands the cancellation of the June 5 hearing, citing the lack of due process and her need to prepare a proper defense. She also requests that law enforcement schedule an appointment for any further service, ensuring she receives it without further delay.
Pierce's Contentions
Violation of Due Process Rights: Pierce claims that the invoice for $413 and the subsequent order were illegal. She explains that she paid the fine under duress, fearing incarceration. Despite Singleton's insistence that the file was ready, his staff failed to provide it even after payment, indicating the file was never prepared in the first place.
Abuse of Office: Pierce alleges that Judge Singleton is setting hearings without proper procedure, acting both as judge and complainant. She points out that she was not given the legally required 30 days to respond after being served with a criminal summons, further violating her rights.
Extortion and Misrepresentation: Pierce highlights that she had repeatedly requested the file starting October 11, 2023, and was told it would be ready in 10 days. After numerous attempts and a formal complaint letter dated November 13, 2023, she received no file. She accuses Singleton of misrepresenting facts on the bench and using his judicial power to coerce payment for an unprepared file.
Retaliation: It appears Singleton's actions are in retaliation for Pierce's lawsuit against him, filed in the Circuit Court for extortion related to the $413 invoice. Despite this ongoing litigation, Singleton issued an order demanding payment, demonstrating a conflict of interest and misuse of judicial authority.
Conclusion
Judge Danny Singleton’s actions against Dorothy Pierce are a stark example of judicial overreach and abuse of power. By using threats of jail time to intimidate and control a grieving widow, Singleton has turned the probate court into a hostile environment where the risk of losing one's freedom looms large. This case underscores the urgent need for judicial reform and accountability to protect the rights of individuals against such blatant misuse of judicial authority.