Story Slug  :  SC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW-PKG Synopsis  :  Restricted Text  :  Source  :  WLTX Rundown  :  Wednesday 6 pm 10-30-2013 Category  :  Embargo  :  Format  :  Length  :  00:01:29:19 Air Date  :  10/30/2013 19:27 
 [SC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW-PKG_WLTX-NEWS117_20131030_172138.mxf] 
 
 
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 {REPORTER} J. L. Charley, a criminal domestic violence investigator with the columbia police department works with victims from start to finish. 
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 {REPORTER} He says that support can mean a lot when moving through the court system. 
 But State Representative Bakari Sellers says it's time to look at what lawmakers can do to address the problem as well. 
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 {REPORTER} He plans to pre-file a bill in December that would allow judges the ability to hand down stiffer punishments, especially to first time offenders. 
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 {REPORTER} Sellers says the bill would also allow judges to order more time in jail, with those convicted having to wait two more years to expunge their records, and first time offenders facing gun penalties. 
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 {REPORTER} and for Charley, the best effort from everyone is the only way to tackle the problem of domestic violence in South Carolina. 
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 {REPORTER} Jennifer Bellamy...News19....WLTX.

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