Letter to Community Partners from City of Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen: On behalf of the Charleston Police Department, the South Carolina law enforcement community, and me personally, I want to take this opportunity to express my sincerest appreciation for your support in getting Senate Bill 19 passed by the South Carolina General Assembly. As you know, we initiated this effort several years ago and have been working hard to change the law surrounding bond procedures for violent offenders who commit additional violent crimes while already on bond. This year, with your assistance, it has become a reality. Now that the Governor has signed this bill and it is law, it will ensure that offenders who are arrested while in our communities on bond for a previously committed violent crime will appear before circuit court judges, not magistrates, for their bond hearing. This offers law enforcement the opportunity to prepare a complete picture of the offender’s criminal background for the judge to consider when setting bond. It also will allow a solicitor to be present and argue why an offender should not be released. One of the key elements of this law deals with the directive to judges. When considering the bond, if the judge finds no conditions of release that will ensure the offender will not be a danger to the community, they shall not set bond for the new crime and must also revoke all previous bonds. I am confident that this new law will have a direct impact on the safety of our community. By keeping repeat, violent offenders in jail and not in our communities, we will reduce victimization and the fear that these offenders cause by their actions. It is through partnerships between law enforcement, legislators, and the community that we are able to continue to strengthen our laws and keep our cities safe. Your support, by making calls, sending emails, and speaking directly with legislators, and commitment to making our community and South Carolina a safer place has paid huge dividends in this process. Again, thank you for making S.19 a reality.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 19:36:34 +0000
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