Why convicted criminals should love Ed Clements
If you've been to prison, have a criminal record, and live in either Florence or Marion County, 12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements has great news for you:
Attend his workshop in expungement and learn how to get your criminal record wiped clean, allowing you to brush your history under the rug and prey upon unsuspecting citizens.
When the Blogland received an email from a reader, announcing this event, we were surprised, to say the very least, that a Solicitor's office would be associated with this event:
Representative Terry Alexander and Solicitor Ed Clements, of the12th Judicial Circuit, in conjunction with SC Dept of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, will sponsor an EXPUNGEMENT/PARDON WORKSHOP on Tuesday, 10:00AM March 30, 2010.
The purpose of this workshop is to disseminate information to the public regarding provisions in state law for the expungement of an arrest record or for the possibility of a pardon for a past criminal offense.
Those who have been hindered in life because of past mistakes are encouraged to attend and be educated about opportunities available under state law to remove potential road blocks for future advancement. The meeting will be held at: The Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library, 509 South Dargan Street, Florence, SC 29506
If we all think hard enough, we may know someone that could benefit from ths workshop.
While it seemed odd that an office responsible for prosecution should be helping those they've convicted, we didn't want to jump to conclusions. To make sure we were on the right track, the Blogland contacted several current and former prosecutors around the state to get their take on this. The ones we'd spoken with all said this isn't something a Solictor's office does.
To us, it seems like a bad practice for a prosecutor's office and a raw deal for law-abiding Pee Dee residents and businesses, but a really great deal for convicted criminals.
We encourage our readers to show up at this event and voice their concerns. They may also want to contact his opponent in this fall's elections - Rose Mary Parham - and ask her what she thinks.
We encourage our readers to show up at this event and voice their concerns. They may also want to contact his opponent in this fall's elections - Rose Mary Parham - and ask her what she thinks.
Maybe some people believe something like a simple assault or simple possession should follow someone around forever, but apparently the General Assembly doesn't. I certainly don't. The parents of the kids who come in and hire me when Jr. gets an open container at the Cup don't either.
BTW, you have to go through the Solicitor's office to get an expungement. So the event that you don't think is good idea is actually pretty damn helpful. Why is it a bad idea that the Solicitor would want to educate the public about who can and cannot qualify to have records expunged? Why is it a bad idea that the Solicitor's office would educate the public about criminal law? It certainly would help reduce the workload to inform those that don't qualify ahead of time.
It only "seems like a bad idea" to those that have absolutely no clue what they are talking about. Who have no experience with the criminal justice system. You have any idea who benefits from these things? Try your neighbors' kids. Try your kids. Ever been in a fight at school? Guess what, you get locked up for that crap now. And you get a criminal record. Should that continue to follow you around for ever?
The idea that this is a bad thing is stupid. And it can only be spouted by someone who a) either has no knowledge of what actually goes on in the area of criminal justice; or, b) simply doesn't care and is willing to say whatever they can to try to score political points.
I tell you what, the next time you don't want to jump to conclusions concerning a post that deals with criminal justice, how about try contacting someone who practices criminal defense. I realize you and others feel that somehow disqualifies me from being unbiased in a solicitor's race (which is itself crazy...we're the people who actually know who is good at this job), but feel free to give me a call.
Switching to my HR side ... I've used background checks to screen prospective hires. Those with a minor charge years back were cleared for hiring. Those with recent and numerous convictions were not. A lot of employers are smart enough to take background checks under advisement.
And the fact that other circuits haven't thought to do this or don't think its a good idea just show why we've got the best Solicitor's office in the State.
Accuse the author of being a tool of a candidate is one.
The other is to divert attention away from the real issue: that Clemens is sponsoring the event, hence making taxpayers clean up the mess these people have made.
Nowhere was it said that expungment should not be allowed, but rather that Clemens shouldn't be making people pay for it.
Let me be clear: I'm not calling whoever is responsible for this uniformed post a tool of any candidate. I'm just calling them a tool. Because they obviously have no clue what they are talking about. Whoever wrote the piece doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt, because they didn't take any time to actually ask questions themselves, other than questions that served their obviously biased view.
There ain't a whole hell of a lot of "cost" in this. It's these offices (the Solicitor's and Probation and Parole) sending someone over to speak to a crowd. Maybe hand out the same info sheets you would get if they come into your office.
It's kind of like Reino "sponsoring" tonight's beers are Creekratz. He asked for attendance. He named the place. I showed up and paid for my own beer. There was no cost to the taxpayer.
Stephanie Rawlinson
But hey...I hear Senator Graham supported that expungement meeting, as he had a representative there!