AG Wilson urges state legislators to pass bond reform bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)— Attorney General Alan Wilson and SLED Chief Keel sent a letter to state legislators urging them to pass bond reform.

The letter was sent to Senate President Thomas Alexander, House Speaker Murrell Smith, and the conferees for the conference committee on H.3532.

In a press release, Attorney General Alan Wilson says, ” “We desperately need bond reform passed as soon as possible. Our current system allows for repeat offenders to continue a life of criminality and endanger our communities. By strengthening GPS monitoring for defendants out on bond and creating oversight and accountability into the process, South Carolina will be a safer place for everyone.”

The letter includes Attorney General Wilson and Chief Keel’s support and requests for the legislation:

• SLED would certify all entities that provide electronic monitoring, including electronic monitoring companies, law enforcement agencies, and bonding companies that provide electronic monitoring;
• Electronic monitoring agencies would be required to provide law enforcement and prosecuting agencies with real-time monitoring and notice of violations;
• An up-to-date list of certified monitoring companies would be kept publicly available and both bonding companies and courts would be required to use only these companies;
• The companies would be required to provide a report of who they are monitoring to clerks of court as bonding companies do;
• Courts would be allowed to order a specific monitoring company when it is deemed prudent or necessary;
• and If necessary, allow defendants to pay the monitoring company or clerk and provide proof of payment to the bondsman.

You can read the full letter here.