State v. Roberson

BEATTY, J.:

Clinton Roberson was tried in absentia and without counsel for the charge of failing to register as a sex offender. After the jury convicted Roberson, the circuit court judge sentenced Roberson to ninety days imprisonment. Roberson appeals the judge’s, denial of his motion for a new trial. We reverse and remand for a new trial. 1

FACTS

On October 6, 1999, Roberson was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender pursuant to sections 23-3-460 and 23-3-470 of the South Carolina Code. 2 According to the affidavit attached to the arrest warrant, Roberson had been previously…