2 SC coastal counties clearing DUI case backlogs

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Horry and Georgetown counties have cleared a huge DUI case backlog.

The state Supreme Court in April ordered magistrate courts to clear backlogs. The order applied to cases without juries that were 60 days old and jury cases more than 120 days old.

Horry and Georgetown counties had the most unresolved driving under the influence cases. Prosecutor Greg Hembree told the Sun News of Myrtle Beach that the backlog in Horry and Georgetown cases has now been cut from 605 to 100.

That reduction effort included adding more court dates and meetings between police and defense lawyers while reducing trial delays.

Backlogs increased after the state Highway Patrol launched a DUI enforcement crackdown that doubled arrests.

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Information from: The Sun News, http://www.thesunnews.com/