| Criminal Domestic Violence Bill Becomes Law |
| (Columbia) - Governor Mark Sanford signed
into law Tuesday a bill that makes "South Carolina safer for
women." During a signing ceremony at the State House, Sanford signed the Criminal Domestic Violence bill, which toughens fines and sentences for domestic violence offenders. The new law a) elevates fines and penalties for first, second and third offenses, b) requires judges to receive continuing legal education on domestic violence issues and c) sets a time frame of five years for expunging a criminal domestic violence conviction. “Nothing is more central to quality of life than being safe in your own home and yet tragically, too many women in South Carolina haven’t been able to enjoy that basic building block of freedom,” says Sanford. “We’ve made it perfectly clear that South Carolina’s historically dismal rankings on the domestic violence front are simply unacceptable, and we’re going to keep pushing for reforms that will make the women of our state safer.” The new law increases the minimum fine for a first conviction of domestic violence to $1,000 or 30 days in jail. That's up from $500 or 30 days. That can be suspended if the person completes a counseling program. The law will also increase penalties for second convictions to 30 days to one year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. That's up from a penalty of either 30 days in jail or a $500 fine. The Criminal Domestic Violence law will take effect January 1st. |