Issue Position: Criminal Justice Reform

Issue Position

Senator Malloy Has Been A Tireless Champion of Criminal Justice Reform. The changes to the criminal justice system that Senator Malloy championed have saved - and will continue to save - the State millions of dollars. More importantly, the sentencing reform laws have given offenders - particularly young men of color - a chance to correct the error of their ways without crippling them with the "felon' label that weighs them down for the rest of their lives. Through Senator Malloy's leadership we now require body cameras in order to record police interactions so that the police can be held accountable when they cross the line, and as well as to protect the police from unfair allegations of misconduct. Senator Malloy firmly believes that everyone accused of having committed a criminal act should have access to a good lawyer. Senator Malloy authored the law that established a statewide unified indigent defense system to provide effective assistance of counsel to indigent criminal defendants throughout the State. Senator Malloy knows that young people make bad decisions and because they are young they don't fully understand the consequences of their actions. As such, he was instrumental in passing the Raise the Age law.

Next year, Senator Malloy will continue his work in criminal justice reform by: Again introducing legislation to close the "Charleston Loophole' so that criminals like Dylan Roof can never get a gun to carry out their evil intentions. Addressing the ongoing problem of police brutality by introducing legislation to curb police excesses while still allowing the police to perform their necessary function in society. We need police. However, we can no longer accept police practices that unfairly target, harass, and kill people of color. Reforming the juvenile justice system in South Carolina so that youthful offenders are given the help that they need so that they can be productive members of society that lead fulfilling lives. Enacting a "Hate Crimes' bill to punish acts motivated by racism and other forms of bigotry. Securing funding to ensure that Body Cameras are fully funded and universally used throughout South Carolina.

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