14th Circuit Criminal Enterprise Intelligence Proposal

Using evidence-based strategies and a thorough data-collection plan developed with assistance from researchers at the University of South Carolina, Colleton County’s proposal seeks to take more offenders off the street for longer periods. This would be accomplished by arming prosecutors with the evidence necessary to add and upgrade charges and convict defendants who would otherwise have gone undetected. Intelligence would be shared with circuit law enforcement agencies, enhancing their investigations and expanding their scope. Where necessary, the Intelligence Unit stands ready to coordinate operations between them. The Solicitor’s Office also hopes to parlay metrics associated with this project into advocacy for criminal justice reform in South Carolina. For instance, evidence that gang activity is prevalent supports efforts to enact county-level investigative grand juries, which are currently lacking under state law. The project also includes an evaluation of its strategy and identification of best practices for the investigation and prosecution of criminal enterprises.