Chief Justice urges public support of court system

SUMTER, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Chief Justice Jean Toal says the public needs to support the court system because it has a direct impact on the state’s economy.

The Item of Sumter (http://bit.ly/U666sI ) reports that Toal told a civic group Monday that while many people can name the “American Idol” judges, they can’t name one judge on United States Supreme Court.

She said many companies that moved operations abroad in recent years are looking to return to the United States. She says the businesses have a lot of intellectual property that foreign legal systems are either unwilling or unable to protect.

Toal says companies are examining the legal systems in each state to make sure their products and intellectual property are adequately protected.

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Information from: The Item, http://www.theitem.com