Kristen Lee Cardinal, age 33 of West Ashley, was arrested in the early morning hours of February 25 on one count of misdemeanor Domestic Violence Third Degree ($5,000.00).

Following a Bond Court appearance later that morning, Judge Priscilla Baldwin decided she would provide Ms. Cardinal a personal recognizance bond.

Besides the lingering fact of Ms. Cardinal being provided PR bond on a violent offense, what is more dismal are the six charges Judge Baldwin awarded her 11 months earlier.

In late March 2018, Ms. Cardinal was arrested on five drug offenses, with one count relating to a stolen vehicle — three charges of PWID Marijuana, one charge of Drugs/Manufacturing Methamphetamine, one charge of Possession of Other Controlled Substance Sched. I-V, and a single count of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Her bond was posted at $50,000.00.

A pattern of re-offending seems to be present in similar cases. Leniency isn’t always the most sound option in protecting the general public, but Judge Baldwin tends to think otherwise. It’s only a matter of time before inaction breeds more serious consequences.