Judiciary
Senator Stalls Child Custody Bill
May 17, 2012, 5:55 a.m. by Rick BrundrettA state senator is holding up a bill that supporters say would make major changes in the way child custody cases are handled in South Carolina.
Senate Proposal Would Increase Number of Family Court Judges
May 9, 2012, 5:55 a.m. by Rick BrundrettThe S.C. Senate Judiciary Committee has proposed adding six family court judges statewide, up from three additional judges proposed by the House in March.
More Judges in South Carolina Next Year?
April 20, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettAn amended House bill would add three more circuit court and three more family court judges in South Carolina next fiscal year.
S.C. High Court to Hear Disability Case Affected by State Budget Cuts
April 16, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettThe S.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear a case involving a disabled Lancaster woman who contends in court papers that the state broke the law when it reduced her in-home care services because of budget cuts.
Senators Keep Magistrates on Short Leash in 'Holdover' Status
April 11, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettDozens of S.C. magistrates are still on their bench even though their four-year terms have expired - some years ago.
House Version of FY13 Budget Calls for $1 Billion-Plus Increase
March 29, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettThe Nerve’s review of a budget document produced by the Office of State Budget, known as the “summary control document,” shows that compared to the ratified state budget for this fiscal year, which started July 1, the recently passed House version of the fiscal year 2013 budget would increase total authorized spending by more than $1 billion.
Unlike Ard Pleading, Wheels of Justice Move Slowly in S.C.
March 19, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettS.C. Judicial Department records reviewed last year by The Nerve show that in fiscal year 2011, which ended June 30, none of the state’s 16 judicial circuits met the department’s benchmark of moving criminal cases through the circuit court system.
Lobbying by State Agencies Continues Despite State Ban
March 8, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettSixteen state agencies and institutions collectively have spent at least $320,000 since June lobbying the S.C. General Assembly, despite a state budget proviso banning those agencies from using general funds for that purpose, a review by The Nerve has found.
Free Pass or Tough Love for Juvenile Offenders?
Feb. 22, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettJuveniles who plead guilty to non-violent and other minor offenses could have their cases dismissed if they pass a probation program run by family courts, under an S.C. House bill introduced this month.
No End in Sight for Court Fees
Feb. 8, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettS.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal has no immediate plans to eliminate or reduce court fees.
S.C. House Bill Proposes Major Child Custody Law Changes
Feb. 6, 2012, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettSouth Carolina’s child custody law would see its biggest overhaul in decades under a bill that has sailed through the S.C. House.
Cost of Haley’s Special Session Bid Unclear; Right Remains Intact
Jan. 12, 2012, 6 a.m. by Kevin Dietrich
The S.C. Supreme Court ruled in early June that Gov. Nikki Haley lacked the authority to call legislators back into session while they were on a break between the regular session and an already scheduled special session, saying her order violated the separation of powers. Today, more than six months after the Supreme Court nixed Haley’s bid to get legislators to return, it’s still not clear what the effort cost South Carolina taxpayers.
Court System Raking in Fees, Accumulating Millions in Reserves
Dec. 12, 2011, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettThe S.C. Judicial Depatment over the years has been able to build up millions in reserves with fees imposed on those who use the state court system, The Nerve found in a review of state records.
State’s Top Court Asked to Remove Legislators from Aviation Authority
Dec. 6, 2011, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettThe S.C. Supreme Court has been asked to determine whether a 2007 law that appointed two state legislators to the Charleston County Aviation Authority, which owns Charleston International Airport, violates the state constitution.
State’s Top Court Asked to Remove Legislators from Aviation Authority
Dec. 6, 2011, 6 a.m. by Rick BrundrettThe S.C. Supreme Court has been asked to determine whether a 2007 law that appointed two state legislators to the Charleston County Aviation Authority, which owns Charleston International Airport, violates the state constitution.