SC: Newspaper examines handling of physical abuse cases

Monday, 13 April 2009 03:08

Judges and prosecutors are the only elected officials in America who can go for years without having to explain a single decision to voters. Even when they do have to explain themselves, it's usually a single, questionable decision, not a record over time.

Now, the bright sunshine of accountability is shining in South Carolina. The Columbia newspaper, The State, has published an investigative report on how judges and prosecutors handle cases of "inflicting great bodily injury on a child."

The paper zeroes in on one judge in particular, Circuit Judge Kenneth Goode, who on four occasions since 2002 gave defendants no jail time at all for the serious crime. Goode recently announced he is retiring, and the paper seems to imply its months-long investigation might be a reason why.

Reporters examined at least 134 cases. "In slightly more than half of the 72 cases where sentencing information was available," says the paper, "defendants received sentences ranging from probation to nine years -- less than half the maximum."

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