Saturday, January 30, 2010

Warrantless Searches Coming to South Carolina?

Yesterday the Post & Courier ran a story about S.191, a bill making its way (yet again) through the General Assembly.  Essentially, S.191, which is titled the "South Carolina Reduction of Recidivism Act of 2009," would amend the current code to require (yes, require, not merely allow) parolees, probationers, furloughees, and essentially all other participants in early-release programs (including juveniles) to sign a document submitting themselves to warrantless searches for the duration of their early-release program, notwithstanding whether cause even exists.

Well, of course, the bill wouldn't allow unrestricted warrantless searches of the released offender's residence though, right?  Wrong, at least according to the bill in its original form.