Reduced Time to Disposition

This strategy works to reduce the time to disposition of cases in General Sessions within Charleston County by changing the expectations for case management with a longer-term appointment of a Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes (CJAP). Historically, Chief Judges in circuit courts were in place for six months and the Solicitor’s office managed the criminal docket. In this strategy, the Honorable Chief Justice Beatty of Supreme Court of South Carolina appointed the Honorable Markley Dennis, Jr. as CJAP. An updated administrative order approved by Chief Justice Beatty on May 25, 2017.

• Moved management of the criminal court docket to the Clerk of Court under direction of the Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes, and
• Assigned timeliness expectations for case movement and information sharing.

In addition, technology and other improvements help to expedite case processing from the start of a case, including:

• Technology to facilitate the transfer of evidence from law enforcement to counsel
• Public defender representation in bond court for defendants that qualify
• Prosecutor representation in bond court, and
• Ongoing review of the jail population.