Arson Unit Clandestine Lab Unit CID Evidence and Property Unit K-9 Unit Major Crimes Unit Narcotics and Vice Unit Special Victims Unit
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Laurens County Sheriff's Office
Court Liaison Unit |
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The Court Liaison for the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office works closely with the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court to ensure a clear line of communications that is pertinent in judicial proceedings and the prosecution of cases. The Court Liaison also assists Laurens County Sheriff's Office personnel with preparation for trial as needed. The Court Liaison also provides a quality control check for case files prepared by arresting deputies to ensure all documentation is present that is needed for the prosecution of the case.
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Lieutenant Judy Stiles Court Liaison P.O. Box 68 216 W Main St Laurens, SC 29360 864-984-4967 [email protected] |
Another duty of the Court Liaison is to present each General Sessions case made by the Laurens County Sheriff's Office to the Laurens County Grand Jury which convenes once a month. The Grand Jury must be given the information to sustain probable cause the defendant committed the crime in question and the Grand Jury must return a True Bill in order to proceed with prosecution. The Grand Jury also has the option to No Bill an indictment. Once the case is true billed, the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court then begins to prepare for prosecution of the case. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office accounts for the majority of the cases indicted in Laurens County averaging in excess of 70 each month that is sent forward for prosecution. These numbers do not include cases made by Laurens County Deputies which are heard by the Laurens County Magistrate Court System. Once a case is either prosecuted or disposed of the Court Liaison will use the dispositions of those cases and verify to see if there is any physical evidence attached to that case. If there is physical evidence the Court Liaison will give the proper court documentation to the evidence custodian so he/she may apply the proper procedures of what needs to be done with the evidence of a case that has been disposed of by either trial or pleading guilty.
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The Court Liaison also works closely with the Laurens County Magistrates in Preliminary Court. A preliminary hearing may be requested by a defendant which will allow the defendant the opportunity to appear before a magistrate judge and the arresting deputy at a scheduled time. During the preliminary hearing, the deputy must state the probable cause for the arrest of the defendant who requested the hearing. The defendant has the right to ask questions in relation to his/her charges but does not testify. The case can be dismissed at a preliminary hearing, bound over to General Sessions Court or Waived up to General Sessions Court. The difference between Bound Over to General Sessions is the case is heard and there was enough probable cause for the arrest. Waived means the attorney of the defendant or the defendant themselves decided they have enough information and do not need the preliminary hearing.
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