Pretrial Intervention

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The South Carolina House has approved a bill allowing some lawbreakers another chance to straighten up. The House voted 107-3 on Tuesday to let nonviolent offenders participate in a pretrial intervention program more than once. The measure leaves that decision to solicitors. Currently, only first-time offenders can participate in the diversionary program from court. Participants’ records are cleared if they complete the program, which involves counseling, community service and restitution. PTI is designed for offenders who pose no threat to the community and are unlikely to be involved in further criminal activity. State law disqualifies those charged with drunken driving, blackmail or a violent crime. The measure requires another perfunctory vote before heading to the Senate.