Seventh Circuit Solicitor's Office - Spartanburg County

3Notes● 30 local mothers have completedSpartanburg Area Drug and Alcohol Center’streatment program for mothers who givebirth to babies with illegal drugs in theirsystem. Dozens more are receiving treatmentand others face criminal charges for refusingtreatment. The program is a response to atreatment protocol introduced by SolicitorGowdy and local service providers in 2005.● Drug Court continues to be a success inSpartanburg County. For the year ending June30, 2006, 96 percent of the drug tests given inthe long-term treatment program revealed nofurther use of illegal substances. Studies alsoshow the annual cost of treatment for drugcourt clients pales in comparison to the cost ofprison incarceration.● More than 660adults and juvenilessuccessfully completedour pre-trial interventionprogram in 2006.The program collectednearly $270,000 inrestitution, and itmanaged more than27,000 hours of community service.● Assistant SolicitorTony Leibert recentlyreceived the SouthCarolina Network ofChildren’s AdvocacyCenter’s “Championof Children Award.”The 17-branchgroup recognized theveteran prosecutorfor his efforts tostand up for children who have been victimizedby sex crimes.Gowdy serves as chair ofstatewide prosecution commissionSolicitor Gowdy is working to improve the prosecutionof criminal cases all over the state.The veteran prosecutor is the new chairman ofthe S.C. Commission on ProsecutionCoordination. Gowdy is helping coordinate theadministrative functions of the state’s 16 solicitor’soffices. The commission’s work includesbudgeting, developing continuing legal educationfor prosecutors and legislative representationin the General Assembly.“I am so proud of the folks we have...literally everyone plays a role inmeeting and fulfilling our mission.”Gowdy is one of five solicitors on the commission.The group includes high-ranking legislatorsand statewide law enforcement leaders. Gov.Mark Sanford first appointed Gowdy to thecommission in 2003, and he recently served asvice chairman of the group.“Solicitor Gowdy is a progressive leader,” saidWilliam Bilton, director of the commission. “Heis young in age, but not experience.”Bilton credits Gowdy with recognizing problemswith the state’s DUI law and Jessica’s Law, a legislativechange that created some prosecutorialchallenges on cases where children are the victimsof sex crimes.“Solicitor Gowdy understands the practicalimplications of how changes in the law work,”Bilton said. “That is important in today’sworld.”Derrick Bulsa ( left) and CindyCrick are veteran prosecutors.Solicitor Gowdy’s schedule keeps him busy onmultiple fronts. He serves as secretary/treasurerof the South Carolina Solicitor’s Association,and he is an active participant in the LibertyFellowship, a statewide leadership program.The East Spartanburg Branch of the NationalAssociation for the Advancement of ColoredPeople named Gowdy Humanitarian of the Yearin 2006.“He is making Spartanburg a better place tolive,” said Elder Victor Shippy, president of theEast Spartanburg Branch. “He treats everyonefairly.”Solicitor Gowdy believes his staff is the key to hissuccess.“I wish everyone could stop by and visit theSolicitor’s Office,” he said. “I am so proud of thefolks we have. From our receptionists to ourdeputy solicitors, literally everyone plays a role inmeeting and fulfilling our mission.”Principal Deputy Solicitor Barry Barnette coordinatesthe court calendar in the two-countyservice area with assistance from SupervisoryAssistant Solicitor Derrick Bulsa, and AssistantSolicitor Michael Morin.The veteran attorney staff includes Bob Coler,Cindy Crick, Dan Cude, Zach Ellis, Robin File,Tiffany Freeman, Sarah Drawdy, Abel Gray,Jennifer Jordan, Kim Leskanic, Tony Leibert,Susan Reese, Rob Rhoden, Alex Stalvey andJessica Thill.Promising newcomers Lauren Barnwell, SarahBeth Gadus, Ryan McCarty, Brooks Segars andJohn Strickland are quickly learning the job.