WHEREAS, juvenile crime at school continues to rise; and

WHEREAS, the State of South Carolina has a vested interest in providing a safe, crime-free environment for the education of its children; and

WHEREAS, the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice is a cabinet agency under the direction and supervision of the Governor; and

WHEREAS, the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice plays a prominent role in the evaluation and recommendation process to the Family Court as to the final disposition of a juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers conferred upon me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of South Carolina, and consistent with State and Federal Law, where a juvenile is alleged to have committed, or has been determined to have committed a "serious offense" as defined in the School Crime Report of the Department of Education at School, the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice shall recommend prosecution. Any deviation from such presumption must receive the approval of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 17TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1998.

DAVID M. BEASLEY
Governor

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:19 A.M.