Ervin, Rogers vie for Solicitor's post

Candidates for 4th Circuit Solicitor are two men with experience in the solicitor’s office. Jay Ervin and Will Rogers are running for the Democratic nomination for the office of solicitor vacated by Jay Hodge.

Rogers has been working in the solicitor’s office as assistant solicitor for the past 11 years. He also cites a working knowledge of the office’s diversion programs that allow young and first-time offenders a second chance, such as Pre-Trial Intervention.

Ervin currently works in private practice, but has worked in the solicitor’s office in Richland County and has 23 years of experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney in both state and federal court.

Rogers said he is running under the umbrella of what he calls ‘common sense justice.’ “We have to prosecute violent criminals, remove them from the community because we have to have a safe place to live and work. Also, for first-time non-violent offenders to try to get them on track and get their lives going in the right direction.”

Ervin said he is driven by a desire to improve the effectiveness and integrity of the solicitor’s office and improve communication between law enforcement and victim’s families. He insists Rogers is a part of the current administration and, therefore, a part of the problem. He believes relationships must be repaired with organizations that work with the current solicitor’s office.

“What has been a problem over the last 12 years is failure to communicate the disposition of cases,” Ervin said. Plea-bargaining without consulting law enforcement. [I want to] advocate for law enforcement instead of being their adversary.”

Rogers, however, said he believes that communication is the key. “I will make sure the staff is held accountable for victim notification,” he said. He said he has always worked closely with victims’ families.

The main issue facing the solicitor’s office is the number of cases on the court’s docket, according to Ervin. Ervin said the number of cases on the docket was about 1,900 when current Solicitor Hodge took office, but that number has ballooned to nearly 4,000 during his tenure.

Ervin questioned the decisions of the current solicitor’s office. He said there have been several instances in which criminals have been allowed to plea-bargain or get an early release only to commit another crime. He also questioned the statistics of the current office. “We’ve got the longest period of time from the date of arrest in Darlington and Chesterfield County than anywhere in the state. It’s over 1,200 and 1,300 days in those counties, respectively. It’s politics, and it’s time to change.” He was quoting the South Carolina Court Administration statistics.

Rogers believes the caseload is an issue as well; however, he could only do so much as an assistant. “It seems like Mr. Ervin is running against Jay Hodge,” Rogers said. “When you’re working for someone, you may not agree with everything he does, but he is the one responsible.”

Rogers also said the number of days between arrest and trial listed is from one year ago and does not accurately reflect the current number. He said some of the cases listed are not active cases. “If you have 500 new cases in a month, and you only have court once a month and get 200 cases out of the way, you get really behind. We have to have more court.”

Both men agree the solicitor has to be more involved in trying cases and actions in the courtroom. Rogers also would like to work with the sheriff’s office to lower the number of prisoners in area detention centers. Ervin and Rogers both want court to be in session more often to control the amount of cases.

Both men also say they would like to work with law enforcement agencies closely. They believe Hodge doesn’t work as closely with them as he should.
Ervin said he is open to working and expanding juvenile programs and diversion programs. “As far as juvenile programs like P.T.I., youth camps, mentoring, all of those things I would improve and expand.”

The solicitor’s race between Ervin and Rogers will also decide the solicitor. There is no Republican candidate; therefore, when voters go to the polls in the Democratic primary election on Tuesday, June 10, a solicitor will be chosen.