Marlar v. State

The State seeks a writ of certiorari to review the decision of the Court of Appeals vacating the order of the circuit court denying respondent’s application for post-conviction relief (PCR). Marlar v. State, 373 S.C. 275, 644 S.E.2d 769 (Ct.App.2007). We grant the petition for a writ of certiorari on the State’s Questions I and II, dispense with further briefing, and reverse the opinion of the Court of Appeals. The petition is denied on the State’s Questions III and IV.

Pursuant to S.C.Code Ann. § 17-27-80 (2003), the PCR judge must make specific findings of fact and state expressly the…