(AP) -- South Carolina prosecutors are hoping for an additional $1.6 million for domestic violence cases at the level where they say it's needed the most.
The State newspaper reports that the South Carolina Commission on Prosecution Coordination hopes the money will be distributed equally to the state's 16 judicial circuits.
The commission says it's needed to pay salaries of prosecutors who handle domestic violence cases in magistrate's court. Without those lawyers, victims are represented by the police officers who filed the cases, and who often find themselves arguing against skilled defense attorneys.
The money would replace a federal grant that expires at the end of June.
David Ross, executive director of the commission, says increased prosecutions have led to a drop in domestic violence cases since 2005.
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