The South Carolina Circuit Solicitor is an elected official who is responsible for overseeing the prosecution of criminal cases in South Carolina.  Other states refer to this same position as the District Attorney. The election, term and duties of circuit solicitors are set forth in Article V, Section 24 of the South Carolina Constitution and in “Article 3, Chapter 7, Title 1 of the 1976 SC Code of Laws.  The Circuit Solicitor ensures prosecutions are processed by organizing an orderly and efficient flow of cases, assigning cases to attorneys, advising attorneys on the cases assigned, monitoring the status of pending cases, and supervising personnel.

The 1868 South Carolina Constitution (South Carolina’s fifth constitution) established one Solicitor for each judicial circuit, elected by electors of the particular circuit, for a term of four years. Today, South Carolina has 16 judicial circuits and each circuit has its own elected Circuit Solicitor.   Each circuit is comprised of two to five counties.  The Office of Circuit Solicitor is a constitutional office and each Solicitor is elected by the voters within the respective circuit for a term of four years.

Circuit Solicitor Programs

South Carolina’s Circuit Solicitors also administer diversion/intervention programs such as Pretrial Intervention, Alcohol Education, Traffic Education, Juvenile Arbitration, Drug Court, the Worthless Check program, and many more.   These programs are alternatives to the traditional court process and hold individuals accountable while affording them a second chance.

 

Additionally, the Circuit Solicitors’ Offices each have Victim-Witness Assistance Advocate Programs to help ensure that a fair and compassionate process for victims and witnesses.

Scroll down for more information on South Carolina’s Circuit Solicitors, and for more information on their programs, visit our pages on Diversion/Intervention and Victim-Witness Programs in the Circuit Solicitors’ offices.

 

 

South Carolina Judicial Circuit Map