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A former instructor of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) was arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) last week, according to court records.
While details surrounding her arrest remain unclear, Caroline Bond Lawson was pulled over on December 30, 2024, after attracting the interest of an S.C. Highway Patrol (SCHP) trooper. She was subsequently transported to the Florence County detention center that evening.
The following morning, on New Year’s Eve, Florence County magistrate Jerry F. Rivers set Lawson’s bond in the amount of $995. The aspiring attorney has since requested a jury trial and secured legal representation from Matthew Swilley of the Swilley Law Firm, LLC.
Formerly employed by the SCCJA, Lawson taught courtroom testimony and evidence classes in 2024. She is said to have equipped officer candidates with a “base knowledge” of legal precedents and constitutional law for about nine months.
As with any state academy, the SCCJA is responsible for training every police officer across the Palmetto State. Before becoming class one certified, though, the “boys in blue” must complete a 12-week Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) program through the SCCJA.
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Of their required training — totaling less than 500 hours — cadets must attend two weeks of “legal” workshops led by civilian attorneys. Despite the necessity of these courses, the SCCJA was purportedly down to two legal instructors by the end of 2024.
“The academy is not what it used to be,” a former employee noted. “We used to have four or five attorneys who trained cadets in legal matters… These classes set the foundation for every officer’s understanding of your rights, Miranda protections… literally everything.”
Under the academy’s dwindling carousel of attorneys, about 23 BLE classes graduated in fiscal year 2024. With about 60 cadets per class, that means approximately 1,300 graduates were furnished with badges, guns and complete authoritative powers last year.
“This is why Lawson’s arrest is so important,” continued a certified law enforcement officer. “From the date of her hire to the date of her separation, she had some level of instructional responsibility with every basic training class that came through the SCCJA.”
Despite separating from the academy less than two weeks before her DUI arrest, Lawson remains a staunch supporter of her former students on Facebook. Her latest posts consist of homages to cadet-turned-officer Dwight Marshall, who died in a wreck last month.
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“They may not be tiny, but these are my babies,” Lawson wrote after Marshall’s funeral on January 5, 2024. “One of my most special classes to ever come through the SC Criminal Justice Academy… I’ve never cried more in public but I’ve also never been more proud.”
Within four days of the DUI charge, Lawson posted a major life update on Facebook. While her claim remains unconfirmed, she’s purportedly scheduled to begin serving as a prosecutor under S.C. fifth circuit solicitor Byron Gipson in February 2025.
“I will be coming back ‘home’ to the fifth circuit to be a prosecutor in Camden,” the practicing attorney wrote. “I am so excited to try cases again and to live in a place that I have always loved… Don’t worry, (SCCJA), I am still trying to come back and teach just evidence (sic).”
If Lawson’s DUI charge does not interfere with her supposed appointment, the attorney will land in Kershaw County, S.C., where magistrate Darrell J. Drakeford remains on the bench after his very own DUI charge in January 2024.
Hours before this article was published, the SCCJA announced several job openings for legal instructors. Those interested can read more about the positions by clicking here.
This story may be updated.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
(Dynal Nolan/FITSNews)
Andrew Fancher is a Lone Star Emmy award-winning journalist from Dallas, Texas. Cut from a bloodline of outlaws and lawmen alike, he was the first of his family to graduate college which was accomplished with honors. Got a story idea or news tip for Andy? Email him directly and connect with him socially across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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2 comments
“As with any state academy“
What does this even mean? Fancher, sometimes you throw out random phrases in your stories thst make no sense?
And using a unnamed and disgruntled “former employee” for quotes about the current state of an agency doesn’t have much credibility. Good to hear from Brian Bennett, though. Glad to see he has found something to do and is doing well.