COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has vetoed a bill allowing officers to search people released on probation or parole without a warrant.
The Republican governor said he sees no evidence that giving law enforcement the additional authority would decrease crime or reduce recidivism. He said the protection from unreasonable searches is an essential safeguard of liberty in America.
The measure allows officers to bypass going to a judge for a warrant before searching people on probation or parole. Inmates must agree to the searches before they're released. They can search the person, the vehicle the person owns or is driving, and any possessions.
House Speaker Bobby Harrell has said probationers or parolees are still being punished and shouldn't receive the same privacy as citizens.
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