Redesign expectations for the timeliness of case processing in General Sessions (felony and high-level misdemeanor) cases with the leadership of Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes, expedited movement of core case processing milestones, and technology.
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.
In addition, technology and other improvements help to expedite case processing from the start of a case, including: