(Columbia) June 7, 2005 - Governor Mark Sanford
signed into law H. 3984 , a bill strengthening South
Carolina's domestic violence laws, at a signing ceremony
in the Statehouse Tuesday morning.
Accompanied by victims' advocates and other guests,
the governor held the signing ceremony at 10:30am
Tuesday morning in the first floor lower lobby of the
South Carolina Statehouse in downtown Columbia.
"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," Governor Sanford said.
"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."
Since Sanford signed the bill, it becomes law and
will go into effect January 1st, 2006. It significantly
increases domestic violence fines and sentences as
follows:
- 1st offense increased to a minimum of $1,000 or 30
days in jail, or the judge can order completion of a
batterer treatment program in lieu of fine, up from a
maximum of $500.
- 2nd offense to a minimum of $2,500 and 30 days
mandatory minimum in jail, up from a maximum of $500
and 30 day non-mandatory sentence.
- 3rd offense offender is guilty of a felony and
minimum one year sentence and maximum of 5 years, up
from a misdemeanor and minimum 90 day sentence and
maximum three years.
- Judges to get continuing legal education on issues
concerning domestic violence.
- Sets a timeframe on when a first offense CDV
conviction can be expunged which is after five years
from the conviction. Current law did not have a
timeframe.
Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) was the
cosponsor of the original bill, took her name off the
legislation in part because Representative John Graham
Altman wound up with his name on the bill. Cobb-Hunter
was there for the signing, John Graham Altman was not.
Many, including the governor, praised Cobb-Hunter for
her efforts.
Legislature left a mountain of 62 bills on the
governor's desk last week that Sanford must deal with by
midnight Tuesday. The governor is expected to veto some,
including a tougher seat belt bill. Sanford's office
says he signed 16 of the bills on Friday.
Updated 11:33am by Bryce Mursch with
AP
