SC legislators to debate who controls court docket

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A discussion over who should control South Carolina's court schedules is heading for the state Legislature.

Local prosecutors have long decided when to call cases to court. But South Carolina's Supreme Court ruled in November that state law giving local solicitors that power was unconstitutional.

In the meantime, state lawmakers this week are expected to debate legislation that would return control to prosecutors with certain protections.

South Carolina is the only state where prosecutorial control has been set in statute, but two other states also involve prosecutors in docket management.

The National Center for State Courts says district attorneys in North Carolina calendar criminal cases, but the court system has ultimate authority over trial calendars. Maryland prosecutors set trial dates, but a county's chief judge can make changes.

Most Popular

Stories

Videos

South Carolina HeadlinesSouth Carolina HeadlinesMore>>
Maley recommends ways to combat painkiller abuse
Maley recommends ways to combat painkiller abuse
The state inspector general says prescription painkiller abuse is rampant in South Carolina, but there's no statewide effort to combat it.More >>
The state inspector general says prescription painkiller abuse is rampant in South Carolina, but there's no statewide effort to combat it.More >>
AG Wilson seeks calls from groups targeted by IRS
AG Wilson seeks calls from groups targeted by IRS
South Carolina's attorney general is soliciting calls from conservative groups that believe they were wrongfully targeted by the Internal Revenue Service.More >>
South Carolina's attorney general is soliciting calls from conservative groups that believe they were wrongfully targeted by the Internal Revenue Service.More >>
News Minute: Here is the latest South Carolina news from The Associated Press
News Minute: Here is the latest South Carolina news from The Associated Press
The state Highway Patrol is investigating why a passenger tumbled out of a moving car on Interstate 95 and died after landing in front of a tractor-trailer Sunday evening near the Jasper County community of Yemassee. The...More >>
SC woman attacked after visiting husband's grave
SC woman attacked after visiting husband's grave
Authorities say a 15-year-old boy attacked an 80-year-old woman after she visited her husband's grave in Mullins.More >>
Authorities say a 15-year-old boy attacked an 80-year-old woman after she visited her husband's grave in Mullins.More >>
United restarts 787 flights after grounding
United restarts 787 flights after grounding
By JOSHUA FREED AP Airlines Writer United Airlines is again flying the 787, four months after smoldering batteries forced the plane to be grounded worldwide.More >>
By JOSHUA FREED AP Airlines Writer United Airlines is again flying the 787, four months after smoldering batteries forced the plane to be grounded worldwide.More >>