{{Short description|American politician and attorney}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Cody Mitchell | image = | state_house1 = South Carolina | district1 = 65th | term_start1 = December 6, 2022 | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = Jay Lucas | successor1 = | birth_name = Cody Tarlton Mitchell | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|6|11}} | birth_place = Greeneville, Tennessee | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = Amanda Kathryn (m. 2015) | education = Presbyterian College (BA), University of South Carolina, (JD) | branch = United States Army National Guard | service_years = 2008–2012 | rank = Major 25px | commands = }}
'''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.<ref name="scstatehouse" /> He later served as a prosecutor in the South Carolina Army National Guard with the rank of major.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Cody |title=Meet Cody Republican for State House |url=https://www.codytmitchell.com/about |access-date=December 21, 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cody Tarlton Mitchell |url=https://www.scbar.org/lawyers/directory/profile/81249 |website=scbar.org |access-date=December 21, 2022}}</ref><ref name="postandcourier.com">{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Glenn |title=DUI charge dismissed against former judge and law partner to SC House speaker |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/news/dui-charge-dismissed-against-former-judge-and-law-partner-to-sc-house-speaker/article_03296310-cab2-11eb-8c1c-171c3e548845.html |website=Post and Courier |access-date=December 21, 2022}}</ref>
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.<ref name="scstatehouse">{{cite web |title=Representative Cody T. Mitchell |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=1344033930 |website=scstatehouse.gov |publisher=South Carolina General Assembly |access-date=December 21, 2022}}</ref>
===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.<ref name="FITS">{{cite web |last1=Folks |first1=Will |title=DUI, Open Container Charges Against South Carolina Municipal Judge Dropped |url=https://www.fitsnews.com/2021/06/07/dui-open-container-charges-against-south-carolina-municipal-judge-dropped/ |website=FITSNEWS |access-date=December 21, 2022}}</ref> In early June, all charges were dismissed for lack of evidence by the court.<ref name="postandcourier.com"/> Critics accused Mitchell of using his status and closeness to the Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives to get the charges dropped.<ref name="FITS" />
==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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Budds |first1=Becky |title='It's time to start governing': 27 New SC House members sworn in |url=https://www.wltx.com/article/news/politics/sc-house-members-sworn-in/101-1204cf23-c0a2-425b-a937-9f08e58d9f51 |website=WLTX.com |access-date=December 21, 2022}}</ref> He serves on the judiciary and rules committee.
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{South Carolina House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchell, Cody}} Category:Living people Category:1986 births Category:South Carolina Republicans Category:Members of the South Carolina House of Representatives Category:Presbyterian College alumni Category:University of South Carolina alumni Category:People from Greeneville, Tennessee Category:21st-century members of the South Carolina General Assembly