SC4CJR.org

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SC4CJR State Director, Alesia Flores, comments on the police killing of Tyre Nichols and calls for reform.

Commentary: Tyre Nichols' killing underscores need for law enforcement overhaul In the wake of yet another horrifically disturbing killing of an unarmed black man by police officers caught on video, we must ask ourselves why and how law enforcement stops

Today the SC4CJR team testified before South Carolina legislators against mandatory minimums and mass incarceration. Want to learn about the criminal law-related bills this legislative session? Join the movement and stay informed @ https://www.sc4cjr.org/join-the-movement.

Happy Black History Month!

This month we aim to highlight and celebrate the Black community and their impact on American history.

“Two years to wait for a trial is exponentially better than it is here in South Carolina,” Menegakis said. “There are victims who have been waiting five years for justice to be brought, (and) defendants who have been stuck in jail more than five years waiting for their case to be brought to trial.”

Delay in justice: Thousands of SC trials waiting for court dates | Carolina News and Reporter Delay in justice: Thousands of SC trials waiting for court dates By Reagin von Lehe | Dec 6, 2022 The S.C. Supreme Court ruled a solicitor-run docket unconstitutional in a 2012 decision. But counties such as Beaufort are still using that method of deciding when cases are heard. (Photo by Reagin von....

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/us/politics/biden-marijuana-pardon.html

Biden Pardons Thousands of People Convicted of Ma*****na Possession Under Federal Law The president urged governors to follow his lead for people convicted on state charges of possession.

“The average prison wage maxes out at 52 cents per hour, and many people make much less. In at least six states — Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas — most prisoners aren't paid at all for their labor.”

What People Really Make (and Spend) Behind Bars The Marshall Project asked people in prison to track their earning and spending — and bartering and side hustles — for 30 days. Their accounts reveal a thriving underground economy behind bars.

Legal representation is essential at EVERY stage of the criminal justice process, especially bond hearings! Thank you to Molly Bryant at BigIfTrue.com (a female-led, nonprofit news site) for reporting on this important topic.

"In South Carolina, where bond hearings are a defendant’s first chance in front of a judge, public defenders aren’t available during the bond docket in most parts of the state, said Allie Menegakis, a private defense attorney and executive director of South Carolina for Criminal Justice Reform.

“The bond hearing, in my opinion, is one of the most important hearings in a person’s entire criminal case,” she said, “because it determines whether someone’s going to be fighting their case from behind bars or outside of bars.”"

Read the full article here:

https://www.bigiftrue.org/2022/04/28/first-appearances/

After arrest, low-income defendants may spend weeks or months in jail before they can request a lower bond – Big If True Mollie Bryant April 28, 2022 News After arrest, low-income defendants may spend weeks or months in jail before they can request a lower bond After being arrested, defendants accused of crimes can spend days, weeks or longer without seeing a judge or an attorney, delaying their ability to seek lower....

Today's The Day!!!!!

You are Invited to attend South Carolinas National Day of Empathy.

South Carolina for Restorative Justice in partnership with Dream Corps Justice’s 6th annual National Day of Empathy, a bipartisan criminal justice reform organization, is pleased to invite you to attend our South Carolina Day of Empathy on March 31, 2022, 1-3pm.

This year we are focusing on humanizing the Incarcerated population and highlighting our needs for criminal Justice Reform Legislation in our state that offers 2nd chances and helps to instill a strong moral compass among leaders and the population. We hope you’ll join us this year and stand shoulder to shoulder (in-person or virtually) with those impacted by the criminal justice system. With empathy, understanding, and love, we can build the political bridges that are needed to rectify the damage caused by mass incarceration. And we need your help.

Our Program will include involvement from Legislatures, SCDC, Incarcerated Voice, Families, Victims of Violence, and formerly Incarcerated People.

For virtual access, sign up at this link: https://act.thedreamcorps.org/event/DOE-2022/151/

An in-person discussion in Charleston will be hosted by Latisha Imara, Black Liberation Fund, Alesia Rico Flores, Atty At Law and Allie Menegakis, Esq, Founder & Executive Director SC4CJR.org (SC4CJR) sign up is mandatory at this link: https://hipaa.jotform.com/blackliberationfund/DOE