In the south, particularly, more than one county may be in a circuit, but each county has its own prosecuting attorney, so completely different jurisdictions as far as prosecutors go.
In the south, particularly, more than one county may be in a circuit, but each county has its own prosecuting attorney, so completely different jurisdictions as far as prosecutors go.
I'll make you a small wager that you can't point to any provision in the South Carolina Constitution or South Carolina's Code of Laws wherein there is any mention or reference to "each county having its own prosecuting attorney" or the election or appointment of a county prosecuting attorney and/or district attorney.
Conversely is the following: (All emphasizing mine)
"Criminal Prosecution Division
The South Carolina Constitution designates the Attorney General as the Chief Prosecuting Officer for the State, and along with the sixteen Circuit Solicitors, the Attorney General is responsible for the prosecution of all criminal matters within the South Carolina judicial system. The majority of cases prosecuted by the Attorney General are referred by the local Solicitors. . . . " http://www.scag.gov/criminal-prosecu...#ixzz66n9sjnH2
South Carolina Constitution
ARTICLE V
§ 24. Law enforcement officials, prosecutors and administrative officers; Attorney General.
. . . in each judicial circuit a solicitor shall be elected by the electors thereof. All of these officers shall serve for terms of four years and until their successors are elected and qualify. The General Assembly shall provide by law for their duties and compensation.
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South Carolina Code of Laws
ARTICLE 3
Solicitors, Assistants, and Investigators
SECTION 17310. Number, election and terms of solicitors.
There is one solicitor for each judicial circuit, to be elected by the qualified electors of the circuit, who holds his office for the term of four years. . .
SECTION 17405. Appointment of assistant solicitors, investigators and secretaries.
Each solicitor may appoint as many assistant solicitors, investigators and secretaries as he deems necessary and whose salaries are provided by the counties of the circuit in which they serve. They shall serve at the pleasure of the solicitor and shall have such responsibilities as he directs.
SECTION 17406. Fulltime assistant solicitor and investigator for each judicial circuit.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each judicial circuit of this State, in addition to its other assistant solicitors, shall have one assistant solicitor and one investigator who shall be fulltime employees. Such assistant solicitor and investigator for each circuit shall be appointed by the solicitor of that circuit, shall serve at his pleasure and shall have such responsibilities as the solicitor directs.
In addition Sections 17440 thru 17530 permits the solicitors of the various and certain 16 Judicial Circuits to appoint assistant solicitors AND where appropriate "in which county of the circuit such assistant solicitors shall perform their duties." (See: Section 17460)