Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) -- A South Carolina state representative is back in court this week for a retrial on tax evasion charges.

Rep. Kris Crawford of Florence is charged with failing to file state tax returns for 2004 through 2007. In a trial in March of last year, the jury could not reach a decision and a mistrial was declared.

Crawford's attorney, Celeste Jones, acknowledged her client did not file his returns on time but says he got bad advice from his accountant.

The retrial began Tuesday just a week after Crawford was re-elected in House District 63 over Democrat Austin Smith.

The charges against Crawford are misdemeanors, but he could face jail time if convicted.