What authority allows South Carolina protection orders to be extended or made permanent?

The authority to extend or make permanent protection orders in South Carolina stems from judicial decisions overseen by a judge, particularly during the sentencing phase of legal proceedings. When a judge assesses the circumstances of a case, including the safety of the individuals involved, they can enforce the extension or permanency of a protection order based on their evaluation of the situation and the evidence presented. This judicial discretion is rooted in the legal framework established by state laws regarding domestic violence and protective measures.

Options related to local district court decisions, state senate approval, or public referendum do not play roles in the establishment or alteration of protection orders. The process is primarily judicial and relies on the decisions made by judges who are tasked with evaluating each case's merits, making option B the most appropriate choice.