S.C. Code Ann. Section 22-3-546 in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit – First Offense Criminal Domestic Violence

When I began practicing criminal law in the 14th Judicial Circuit, it seemed to be a “given” that any Criminal Domestic Violence First Offense matters that I took on would be prosecuted in Magistrate or Municipal Court, and usually by an arresting officer and/or a hardworking and dedicated Victim’s Advocate officer (as opposed to a law school trained and licensed government attorney).  First offense criminal domestic violence matters were and still are taken seriously by law enforcement and Solicitors (in South Carolina we have Circuit Solicitors and Assistant Solicitors, which are essentially different names for the District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney positions those from other states may be more familiar with); however, a first offense is a misdemeanor, as opposed to a felony offense.  One day I came across a bond form setting forth that an individual was supposed to appear for an Initial Appearance in General Sessions Court (as opposed to a trial date (by default “bench trial”) in Magistrate or Municipal Court) for a Criminal Domestic Violence First Offense misdemeanor offense.  About ten (10) minutes later I had become familiar with S.C. Code Ann. Section 22-3-546, titled “Establishment of program for prosecution of first offense misdemeanor criminal domestic violence offenses.”

S.C. Code Ann. Section 22-3-546 sets forth (as of this posting – December 2011), “A circuit solicitor, in a circuit with five or more counties, may establish a program under his discretion and control to prosecute first offense misdemeanor criminal domestic violence offenses, as defined in Section 16-25-20, in general sessions court.  Whether to establish a program, and which cases may be prosecuted in general sessions court, are within the sole discretion of the solicitor.  A solicitor shall report the results of the program to the Prosecution Coordination Commission.”

When I mention judicial circuits to non-lawyers, I often get blank stares.  South Carolina’s counties are divided into groups called circuits for purposes of many legal proceedings.  The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit is composed of five (5) counties: Beaufort County, Jasper County, Colleton County, Allendale County, and Hampton County.  To my knowledge, the Fourteenth Circuit is the only circuit in South Carolina with five (5) counties, so this law seems to have a mostly local effect.

How does this work in practice?  In my experience thus far with prosecutions conducted pursuant to this statute, an individual charged with a violation of S.C. Code Ann. Section 16-25-20 (the first offense CDV or criminal domestic violence subpart) is given an Initial Appearance date instead of a bench trial date.  A person charged with this offense will have his or her offense brought before a Grand Jury for indictment, just as if this individual were charged with rape, drug distribution, or other such offenses yielding far greater potential incarceration (jail or prison) times.

A person prosecuted pursuant to this program will be physically seated next to individuals potentially charged with extremely serious offenses. Also, should a trial occur, there is definitely going to be a solicitor on the other “side” (at the other “table”).  Though I truly have a lot of respect for the Victim Advocate Officers in our circuit that prosecute these matters, as they have gained a lot of experience in their roles and can be fierce opponents, an Assistant Solicitor is normally equipped with this experience plus a legal background and generally superior knowledge of the rules of evidence and case law.

Though funding for solicitors in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit to handle the increased caseload due to implementation of Section 22-3-546 is always an issue, it is almost certainly going to be beneficial, if not necessary, for one charged with Criminal Domestic Violence – First Offense in Beaufort County, Jasper County, Colleton County, Hampton County, or Allendale County to have legal counsel.

If you would like to speak with an attorney from our firm concerning your South Carolina Criminal Domestic Violence – First Offense charge, please call us at (843) 474-0614 or (800) 996-0683.

Lee Law Firm, LLC is a South Carolina based law firm that advocates for and counsels clients throughout South Carolina and its Low Country, primarily in Beaufort and Jasper counties (including Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Daufuskie Island, Ridgeland, Callawassie Island, Okatie, Hardeeville, and Beaufort).

South Carolina Family Court Statutory Contempt Powers

Many people contact a South Carolina family law attorney when the adult opposing party is allegedly not complying with an Order that a Family Court Judge has signed, wondering what can be done to get the other party to obey the Order.  Examples include, but are not limited to, not paying child support, denying visitation, not paying alimony, exposing the minor child or children to persons prohibited by the Order, and other such situations.  Though it is not proper to give broad-stroke legal advice, as each individual situation is different and extremely fact specific, the Family Court Judge has statutory authority (this means that the South Carolina legislature has created a law, as opposed to Judge made caselaw) to punish an adult found to be in willful contempt of a valid Family Court Order.  An adult found in willful contempt of court may be punished by a fine, by a public works sentence (read: community service of some type), or by imprisonment in a local detention facility (probably your county jail), or by any combination of them, in the discretion of the court, but not to exceed imprisonment in a local detention center for one year, a fine of fifteen hundred dollars, or public works sentence of more than three hundred hours, or any combination of them.

This can be difficult to read and fully comprehend in a long sentence, so I will sort it out for convenience.  Possible penalties by statute for an adult willfully violating, neglecting, or refusing to obey a lawful order of the Family Court, at the discretion of the presiding Family Court Judge:

1) A fine of up to one-thousand five-hundred and 0/100 dollars ($1,500.00);

and/or

2) Up to three hundred (300) hours of community service;

and/or

3) Up to one (1) year in jail.

The “and/or” above is there for a reason – a Family Court Judge can potentially sentence an adult in willful contempt to all three of these!  In short, this statute gives the Family Court’s Orders pretty sharp teeth.

The United States Supreme Court has recently, as of this writing, issued a ruling as to findings a Judge must make prior to finding an alleged contemnor (the person who is brought before the court and accused of violating the Court’s valid order) in willful contempt (the Supreme Court case arose from facts involving the issue of non-payment of child support), so it is important to consult with a licensed South Carolina Family law attorney to discuss your particular situation prior to “jumping to any conclusions.”  There are also numerous procedural steps that need to be “checked and followed” prior to ever getting before a Judge to ensure the best chance of success in these matters.

If you would like to speak with an attorney from our firm concerning your South Carolina family law matter, please call us at (843) 474-0614 or (800) 996-0683.

Lee Law Firm, LLC is a South Carolina based law firm that advocates for and counsels clients throughout South Carolina and its Low Country, primarily in Beaufort and Jasper counties (including Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Daufuskie Island, Ridgeland, Callawassie Island, Okatie, Hardeeville, and Beaufort).

Why hire an attorney to help me in my family law case?

A lot of people, particularly in these tough economic times, certainly wonder why hiring an experienced family law attorney in a family law case matters.  Though the reasons are arguably countless, I have gathered a few of my top thoughts for your consideration:

1) The other party’s attorney is not your attorney.  An attorney in a family law matter represents one side, not both.  How can an attorney truly advise each party as to what steps he or she should take if the attorney’s loyalties are divided?  You need someone to look after your interests.

2) A huge portion of this firm’s clients did not have an attorney in an initial matter, especially dealing with children, and are left with either the proverbial “short end” of the stick utilizing an agreement drafted by the opposing side’s attorney without the benefit of “friendly review” (see number 1 above) or with an agreement that is obviously from a website or store bought package.  These versions rarely address the contingencies and matters that seem unexpected to someone who does not “do this for a living.”  While it is nearly impossible to draft for all contingencies and life changing events, an experienced family law attorney should have enough experience to provide you with guidance as to terms and provisions to include that protect your interests based on your concerns now and in the future.  It is often better to pay a bit more now than to wait until something goes wrong with a store or internet bought agreement and have to pay a lot then to fix it.

3) It is our belief that a good family law attorney should not only be willing and able to fight for your cause, but he or she should also be willing and able to provide you with solid advice and counsel as to how to approach the issues and events that occur, discuss possible settlement, to prepare you for any court appearances, and to be a sounding board for your ideas and concerns with your best interests in mind.  Good counsel can be invaluable.  Also, family law cases are unique creatures – your friend in a different state that went through a divorce and custody battle may seem qualified to give you advice, but family law cases are often extremely fact specific and domestic laws vary by state, such that listening to someone unqualified to give advice is often a recipe for disaster and disappointment.

4) An experienced family law attorney will be able to focus on your case while you focus on your job and life.  Though it is nearly impossible to block out a family law matter completely, having an attorney to assist allows a client to concentrate on work, family, relationships, health, and other such matters while the attorney does what he or she is trained to do.

If you would like to speak with an attorney from our firm concerning your family law matter, please call us at (843) 474-0614 or (800) 996-0683.

Lee Law Firm, LLC is a South Carolina based law firm that advocates for and counsels clients throughout South Carolina and its Low Country, primarily in Beaufort and Jasper counties (including Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Daufuskie Island, Ridgeland, Callawassie Island, Okatie, Hardeeville, and Beaufort).