Victim Issues in the News Local and State

Posted on Saturday, Dec. 05, 2009

The Prosecution Commission has sent a letter, November2, requesting $1,751,791 be taken from the Victim’s Compensation Fund to offset the loss of monies to their budget for 09/10.  SCCVC protests this raid of crime victim’s funds as such a precedent will result in an avalanche of requests from all of the other agencies whose funds have been cut + non-profits.  Please help us maintain the integrity of these monies that compensate crime victims.

Laura Hudson
Executive Director
SC Crime Victims' Council
1900 Broad River Road / Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29210-7047

LauraHudson@SCCVC.org

Posted on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION

 Contact: Jennifer Timmons |
jtimmons@sled.sc.gov
Office: (803) 896-7056
After Hours: (803) 737-9000

For Immediate Release

October 30, 2009

SLED LAUNCHES OFFENDER WATCH:

STATE-OF-THE-ART SEX OFFENDER TRACKING SYSTEM IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN

          The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in lead partnership with The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is pleased to announce the launch of a new, statewide web-based program designed to enhance the tracking and monitoring of registered sex offenders throughout South Carolina.

          This innovative program called Offender Watch ensures that registered offenders meet law requirements and gives citizens free access to information about such offenders who live in or near their neighborhoods.

          Offender Watch searches registered sex offenders listed in state and county-wide databases.

          It allows law enforcement to share, streamline and enforce the sexual predator registration and monitoring process. These steps will better protect children across the state.

          Director Reggie Lloyd says, “This new tool will help parents tremendously. We want everyone to stay safe this Halloween and every day. We ask that parents use this system and show their children how to use the system. The information on Offender Watch will protect the youth across the state.”

          Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott says, "Technological advancements are allowing our citizens opportunities to stay connected with tools, services and information that can make the difference between becoming the victim of a crime and staying safe.” Lott adds, “Citizen involvement is the key to making our communities safer and Offender Watch is one more tool that we can offer citizens toward this effort."

          Citizens can visit the SLED website at www.sled.sc.gov or www.sheriffalerts.com to access this valuable information.

           Citizens can enter an address and the software automatically will display a map of an area which will then pinpoint offenders in a 2-mile radius of the query.

          The program will then supply a color photograph of the offender along with offense details, a list of previous addresses and basic victim and arrest warrant information.

          Soon, users will be able to sign up for e-mail alerts when a registered sex offender moves.

          The system automatically updates offender information if there is an address change.

          Additionally, by using Offender Watch, SLED has found incorrect information on thousands of offenders statewide.

          This information will be forwarded to various Sheriff’s Departments and to the South Carolina Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCPPP).

          Offender Watch requires sustainable funding in order to keep the program as a success.

           The initiative was sponsored by Representative Joan Brady (Richland County) with direct support and cooperation of The South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association.

          Developed by Watch Systems LLC in Louisiana, the Offender Watch software is being used by more than 400 agencies in 31 states. 

          Of Special Note:

          All 46 Sheriff’s Department’s website will be included on the main program website by the end of November.

          In the meantime, citizens can research their areas by visiting SLED’s main webpage www.sled.sc.gov.             

^©

Posted on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009

S.C. court upholds sex abuse rulings
By RICK BRUNDRETT


The state’s top court in separate rulings Monday upheld or reinstated convictions in three child sex abuse cases, including one involving an ex-deacon at a large Columbia church.
The majority of justices in all three rulings Monday said the trial judges were correct in allowing testimony of “prior bad acts” by the defendants, though they were not charged criminally in most of the earlier incidents.

The state Attorney General’s Office and victims advocates applauded the decision, saying it will make it easier to convict pedophiles. But defense attorneys said the rulings will allow defendants to be convicted on unproven evidence.

Read More...

ADVISORY: McMaster to Join Charleston Verizon Wireless Employees at Domestic Violence Event

Columbia, S.C. May 1, 2009 - Attorney General Henry McMaster will travel to North Charleston on Monday, May 4, 2009, to join a domestic violence awareness event at the Verizon Wireless Charleston Call Center.

The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Verizon Wireless Charleston Call Center, located at the Carriage Hill Executive Center, 2401 Mall Drive, North Charleston, 29406.

The purpose of the event is to raise community awareness of domestic violence, which McMaster has long recognized as the state's number one crime problem, and to honor the memory of Katrina Johnson, a Verizon Wireless Charleston Call Center employee who recently lost her life to domestic violence.

Mother Wants Lawmakers to Move Quicker
on Child Abuse Bill

Columbia (WLTX) - A Columbia mother fears lawmakers aren't moving quick enough on a bill that would toughen child case abuse laws.

16-month-old Kendra Gaddie, inspired senate bill 348, or Kendra's Law. Last year her child care provider Talisha Smith plead guilty to inflicting great bodily harm on the little girl that caused brain hemorrhaging. Parent Michelle Gaddie says Smith slapped and shook her baby. However, Smith received no jail time for the incident. If passed, Kendra's Law would require two years minimum of jailtime for the offense.

Read More...

Failure to fund criminal justice inflicts high S.C. toll
BY PETE STROM and LAURA HUDSON
Monday, March 16, 2009

As our economy continues to struggle, much media attention has been given to the impact of budget cuts in state spending for health, education and welfare. Sadly, the public may not be as well aware of just how devastating it is to cut funds needed to support our system of justice.

In January of this year, South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal delivered the annual State of the Judiciary address. And the bottom line was clear: Our state's Judicial Department is facing a dire situation.

Last year, the General Assembly cut approximately 23 percent of the Judicial Department's budget. As a result of underfunding, South Carolina has not been able to create any additional judge positions in the Circuit and Family Courts since 1997. And yet, our state has over twice the national average of court filings per judge and over 10 times as many filings as other states with a similar number of judges.In other words, we are expecting the same number of judges to handle an ever-increasing load of cases. Fortunately, our judges are dedicated public servants. But they are undervalued, overworked, and underpaid. And as additional stress is placed on our judicial system, it is the citizens of South Carolina seeking justice who suffer most of all. In bad economic times, the courts play an increasingly crucial role by quickly resolving disputes and establishing confidence — not only in the courts themselves — but also in the businesses and institutions that rely on them.

We have seen in other states how heavy court backlogs and judicial inefficiency can damage the prospects for job creation and economic development. Our state has benefited from its good reputation for an efficient, fair, cost-effective judicial system. The legal system in place is always a key factor for businesses seeking a home to operate and prosper. If South Carolina continues to cut judicial resources, triggering heavy backlogs and administrative inefficiency, our economy is certain to pay the price.

Also, cuts to the Judicial Department have a domino effect throughout the criminal and civil justice system. Sweeping budget cuts overload already overworked solicitors and public defenders. Further cuts seriously damage victim assistance programs, reduce pro se litigant assistance, and swamp judges with work that should be done by administrative staff. We all pay a heavy price for the inefficiencies of an underfunded judicial system. A recent budget proposal in the S.C. House included a 26 percent cut for solicitors and public defenders, even greater than the Judicial Department's 23 percent cut in 2008.

This is a frightening prospect. The proposed cuts would strip away essential services for crime victims within the solicitors' budgets. We would lose $2.2 million for Criminal Domestic Violence prosecution, $1.6 million for DUI prosecution and $2.26 million for Victim Service Providers within the solicitors' offices. Without adequate funding for solicitors, public defenders and judges, justice cannot be served for defendants or for the victims of crime. Experts agree that the economic downturn is likely to cause a dramatic increase in criminal activity. And the harsh reality is that further budget cuts will render the justice system unable to respond.

On the positive side, some financial relief should soon be available through federal funds in the economic stimulus package. The emergency funds recently approved by Congress contain a number of grants to support law enforcement and victim service providers with federal dollars.

We can only hope that Gov. Mark Sanford will not turn down those funds at a time when they are so desperately needed.

Among all the people in the world, Americans know that freedom is not free. Gaining it and keeping it has required blood, tears and sacrifice by generations of patriots.

Justice also comes at a price. When we build a house, we all know the foundation is not a good place to cut corners. The foundation of our system of justice in South Carolina must also be strong. Let us now work together in a bipartisan effort to protect justice. No goal in state government is more important.

Pete Strom is a Columbia attorney and the president of the S.C. Association for Justice. Laura Hudson is the executive director of the S.C. Crime Victims' Council.

Monday, Jan. 05, 2009
The State Newspaper