Opinion
2022-10-13-01
10-13-2022
RE: Solicitor Juvenile Drug Intervention Program for the Seventh Judicial Circuit
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
DONALD W. BEATTY CHIEF JUSTICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
I FIND that the rising number of cases with juveniles charged with offenses involving the purchase or use of "alternative nicotine product" ("vaping") or drugs has created a strain on county resources and court systems in the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
I FURTHER FIND that these cases could be efficiently and effectively addressed through a diversion program, which would benefit juveniles.
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Article V, Section 4 of the South Carolina Constitution, IT IS ORDERED that the Solicitor Juvenile Drug Intervention Program (the Program) for the Seventh Judicial Circuit shall be established. The Program is a juvenile intervention program that will have different requirements for first-time juvenile drug offenders than other preexisting, pretrial intervention programs in the Seventh Judicial Circuit. The requirements and fees for the Program, which will be posted on the website for the Seventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office as well as the Solicitor's Offices in Cherokee and Spartanburg Counties, will comply with the S.C. Code Ann. §§ 17-22-10 to -170. A case accepted under the Program must be a drug offense or be a vaping offense.
This Order takes effect immediately and remains in effect unless amended or rescinded by the Chief Justice.