AG Wilson, Law Enforcement Leaders Announce Legislative Priorities

(COLUMBIA, S.C. – January 17, 2013)   South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined law enforcement and legislative leaders yesterday, Wednesday, January 16, at the State House to unveil the 2013 Criminal Justice Reform Package, South Carolina’s Law Enforcement Legislative Agenda. This collaborative legislative initiative consists of 10 legislative reforms focused on bringing efficiency and fairness to the criminal justice system. It was developed with input from Solicitors, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Sheriff’s Association, Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the Attorney General’s Office.

“The safety of South Carolina is our number one priority,” Wilson said. “This is an effort by all of us working together. We need a common sense approach that makes criminal justice more efficient, less costly, and fair for the people of South Carolina.”  

In all, more than 30 legislative and law enforcement leaders stood together in support of the Criminal Justice Reform Package.

Speaking on behalf of the package were Solicitors Chrissy Adams and Kevin Brackett, House Speaker Bobby Harrell, Senator Larry Martin, and Jarrod Bruder, executive director of the Law Enforcement Officers Association.

Additional legislative leaders included: Senator Greg Hembree, State Representatives Phyllis Henderson, Mike Gambrell, Ralph Kennedy, Peter McCoy, Dennis Moss, Chris Murphy, Tommy Pope, Rick Quinn, Eddie Tallon, Anne Thayer, and Bill Whitmire.

The following law enforcement leaders were also present: Solicitors Doug Barfield, Chip Finney, Duffie Stone, David Stumbo; SLED Chief Mark Keel; Jeff Moore, Sheriff’s Association; Sheriffs Lee Foster, Steve Matthews, Leroy Ravenell, Herman Young; Ret. SLED Chief Robert Stewart, for the Fraternal Order of Police, as well as Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies. Solicitor David Pascoe was instrumental in formulating the agenda, but was unable to attend.

The agenda consists of:

• Life Without Parole, sponsored by Representatives McCoy, Harrell, Hixon, Murphy, Patrick, and Pope
• Jury Strikes, sponsored by Representative Pope
• Use of Testimony, sponsored by Representatives McCoy, Harrell, Hixon, Murphy, Patrick, and Pope
• Self-Authenticating Business Records, sponsored by Representative Quinn
• Internet Sweepstakes, sponsored by Representative Henderson and Senator Martin
• Mail and Wire Fraud, sponsored by Representatives McCoy, Harrell, Hixon, Murphy, Patrick, and Pope
• Attempted Murder, sponsored by Representative McCoy
• Assault and Battery, sponsored by Representatives McCoy, Harrell, Hixon, Murphy, Patrick, and Pope
• Bond Issues, sponsored by Representatives Gilliard and Limehouse, and Senator Ford
• Multi-Jurisdictional Agreements, sponsored by Representatives Tallon and Patrick.

A copy of the 2013 Criminal Justice Reform Package and photographs from yesterday’s news conference can be found here.