reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-340. Required placards in retail establishments as to consequences of conviction of armed robbery.

The South Carolina Department of Revenue, with funds already appropriated to the department, shall print and distribute to each business establishment in this State, to which has been issued a retail sales tax license, a cardboard placard not less than eight inches by eleven inches which shall bear the following inscription in letters not less than three-fourths inch high:
"BY ACT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF ARMED ROBBERY SHALL SERVE A SENTENCE OF NO LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AT HARD LABOR WITHOUT PAROLE."
Such placard shall be prominently displayed in all retail establishments to which they are issued.
HISTORY: 1975 (59) 743; 1993 Act No.181, Section 273.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-345. Cardboard placards.

The cardboard placard described in Section 16-11-340 also shall be provided to operators of motor vehicles being used for the transportation of passengers for hire by the Department of Revenue. The size of the placard for this purpose shall be approximately two and one-half inches by five and one-half inches with appropriately sized letters. The placard shall be prominently displayed in the operator's vehicle.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 444, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-350. Train robbery by stopping train.

Any person or persons who (a) may stop, cause to be stopped, impede or cause to be impeded any locomotive engine or any car on any railroad in this State by force or threats or by intimidation of those in charge thereof or otherwise for the purpose of taking therefrom or causing to be delivered up to such persons or person anything of value to be appropriated to his or their own use or (b) may conspire together so to do shall be guilty of train robbery and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by confinement in the Penitentiary not less than two years nor more than twenty years.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-334; 1952 Code Section 16-334; 1942 Code Section 1151; 1932 Code Section 1151; Cr. C. '22 Section 45; Cr. C. '12 Section 192; 1902 (23) 1095.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-360. Robbery after entry upon train.

Any and all persons who may hereafter enter upon any locomotive engine or car on any railroad in this State and by threats, the exhibition of deadly weapons or the discharge of any pistol or gun on or near any such engine or car induce or compel any person on such engine or car to submit and deliver up or allow to be taken therefrom or from him or them anything of value shall be guilty of train robbery and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in the Penitentiary not less than ten years nor more than twenty years.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-335; 1952 Code Section 16-335; 1942 Code Section 1152; 1932 Code Section 1152; Cr. C. '22 Section 46; Cr. C. '12 Section 193; 1902 (23) 1095.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-370. Robbery of operators of motor vehicles for hire.

A person who, while armed with a pistol, dirk, slingshot, metal knuckles, razor, or other deadly weapon, robs or attempts the robbery of a person engaged in the performance of his duties as an operator of a motor vehicle being used for the transportation of passengers for hire is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be sentenced as provided by Section 16-11-330.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-335.1; 1962 (52) 2180; 1994 Act No. 444, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-380. Entering bank, depository or building and loan association with intent to steal; theft or solicitation of person using automated teller machine.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to enter a building or part of a building occupied as a bank, depository, or building and loan association with intent to steal money, securities for money, or property, either by force, intimidation, or threats.
(B) It is unlawful for a person to steal money, securities for money, or property, either by force, intimidation, or threats, from a person who is using or who has just finished using a bank night depository, an automated teller machine (ATM), or another automated banking device, as defined in Section 16-14-10, or in the vicinity of a bank depository, an ATM, or another automated banking device.
(C) It is unlawful for a person to beg, panhandle, or solicit money from, or otherwise harass, a person using, who has just finished using, or who is in the vicinity of a bank night depository, an ATM, or another automated banking device.
(D) A person who violates the provisions of:
(1) subsection (A) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than thirty years;
(2) subsection (B) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both; and
(3) subsection (C) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
(E) A separate location code, premise code, or designation for a bank night depository, an ATM, or other automated banking device offense must be added to the South Carolina Incident Based Reporting System. Law enforcement personnel are required to use this location code, premise code, or designation when completing incident reports for all criminal activity occurring at or in the vicinity of a bank night depository, an ATM, or another automated banking device in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(F) To the extent that this section applies to bank night depositories, ATMs, and other automated banking devices, it applies only to these devices which are not located in a building or structure and those to which banking customers have access when they are outside a building or structure. A building or structure does not include an enclosure erected solely for the purpose of containing an otherwise outdoor or detached ATM or automated banking device. However, the provisions of this section do apply to drive-through banking terminals.
(G) As used in this section, "vicinity" means within the sight of a reasonable person.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-336; 1952 Code Section 16-336; 1942 Code Section 1141; 1932 Code Section 1141; Cr. C. '22 Section 35; Cr. C. '12 Section 180; 1908 (25) 1112; 1956 (49) 1743; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 171; 2007 Act No. 72, Section 2, eff June 13, 2007.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-390. Safecracking.

It is unlawful for a person to use explosives, tools, or any other implement in or about a safe used for keeping money or other valuables with intent to commit larceny or any other crime.
A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than thirty years.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-337; 1952 Code Section 16-337; 1942 Code Section 1150; 1932 Code Section 1150; Cr. C. '22 Section 44; Cr. C. '12 Section 191; 1904 (14) 396; 1907 (25) 580; 1955 (49) 65; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 172.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-420. Intent and findings of General Assembly.

(A) It is the intent of the General Assembly to codify the common law Castle Doctrine which recognizes that a person's home is his castle and to extend the doctrine to include an occupied vehicle and the person's place of business.
(B) The General Assembly finds that it is proper for law-abiding citizens to protect themselves, their families, and others from intruders and attackers without fear of prosecution or civil action for acting in defense of themselves and others.
(C) The General Assembly finds that Section 20, Article I of the South Carolina Constitution guarantees the right of the people to bear arms, and this right shall not be infringed.
(D) The General Assembly finds that persons residing in or visiting this State have a right to expect to remain unmolested and safe within their homes, businesses, and vehicles.
(E) The General Assembly finds that no person or victim of crime should be required to surrender his personal safety to a criminal, nor should a person or victim be required to needlessly retreat in the face of intrusion or attack.
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 379, Section 1, eff June 9, 2006.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-430. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:
(1) "Dwelling" means a building or conveyance of any kind, including an attached porch, whether the building or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile, which has a roof over it, including a tent, and is designed to be occupied by people lodging there at night.
(2) "Great bodily injury" means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ.
(3) "Residence" means a dwelling in which a person resides either temporarily or permanently or is visiting as an invited guest.
(4) "Vehicle" means a conveyance of any kind, whether or not motorized, which is designed to transport people or property.
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 379, Section 1, eff June 9, 2006.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-450. Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil actions; law enforcement officer exception; costs.

(A) A person who uses deadly force as permitted by the provisions of this article or another applicable provision of law is justified in using deadly force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of deadly force, unless the person against whom deadly force was used is a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of his official duties and he identifies himself in accordance with applicable law or the person using deadly force knows or reasonably should have known that the person is a law enforcement officer.
(B) A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of deadly force as described in subsection (A), but the agency may not arrest the person for using deadly force unless probable cause exists that the deadly force used was unlawful.
(C) The court shall award reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income, and all expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of a civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant is immune from prosecution as provided in subsection (A).
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 379, Section 1, eff June 9, 2006.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-510. Malicious injury to animals and other personal property.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to wilfully and maliciously cut, shoot, maim, wound, or otherwise injure or destroy any horse, mule, cattle, hog, sheep, goat, or any other kind, class, article, or description of personal property, or the goods and chattels of another.
(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:
(1) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth ten thousand dollars or more;
(2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth more than two thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars;
(3) misdemeanor triable in magistrates court or municipal court, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, 22-3-550, and 14-25-65, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth two thousand dollars or less. Upon conviction, the person must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned, not more than thirty days, or both.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-381; 1952 Code Section 16-381; 1942 Code Section 1183; 1932 Code Section 1183; Cr. C. '22 Section 73; Cr. C. '12 Section 222; Cr. C. '02 Section 170; G. S. 2500; R. S. 165; 1712 (2) 478, 521; 1857 (12) 605; 1861 (12) 903; 1892 (21) 115; 1894 (21) 824; 1964 (53) 1724; 1981 Act No. 76, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 171, Section 3; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 104; 1998 Act No. 272, Section 1; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 16.A, eff June 2, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-520. Malicious injury to tree, house, outside fence, or fixture; trespass upon real property.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to wilfully and maliciously cut, mutilate, deface, or otherwise injure a tree, house, outside fence, or fixture of another or commit any other trespass upon real property of another.
(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:
(1) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth ten thousand dollars or more;
(2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth more than two thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars;
(3) misdemeanor triable in magistrates court or municipal court, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, 22-3-550, and 14-25-65, if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth two thousand dollars or less. Upon conviction, the person must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-382; 1952 Code Section 16-382; 1942 Code Section 1184; 1932 Code Section 1184; Cr. C. '22 Section 74; Cr. C. '12 Section 223; Cr. C. '02 Section 171; G. S. 2501; R. S. 166; 1857 (12) 605; 1892 (21) 93; 1893 (21) 411; 1894 (21) 824; 1935 (39) 262; 1964 (53) 1724; 1981 Act No. 76, Section 2; 1993 Act No. 171, Section 4; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 105; 1998 Act No. 272, Section 2; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 16.B, eff June 2, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-525. Commissioners deemed owners of Housing Authority property for certain purposes; exemption from liability.

For the sole purpose of determining whether or not any public housing authority property has been maliciously injured as the offense of malicious mischief is defined in Section 16-11-520, and as to whether or not there has been a trespass upon the property as this offense is defined under Section 16-11-600, in all prosecutions under these penal statutes and other statutes of a like nature, the members of the board of commissioners of each state, county, or municipal housing authority in this State, in their official capacity, are deemed to be the owners and possessors of all property of each particular housing authority under their jurisdiction. Nothing in this section may be construed to create personal liability for a commissioner for loss, injury, or damage to the person or property of any other person or entity who suffers injury while on or adjacent to housing authority property as a tenant, an invitee, or a trespasser.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 419, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-530. Malicious injury to real property; school trustees deemed owners of school property.

For the purpose of determining whether or not any school property has been maliciously injured as the offense of malicious mischief is defined in Section 16-11-520 and as to whether or not there has been a trespass upon such property as this offense is defined in Section 16-11-600 and for all prosecutions under these penal statutes and other statutes of a like nature, the trustees of the respective school districts in this State in their official capacity shall be deemed to be the owners and possessors of all school property.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-383; 1952 Code Section 16-383; 1942 Code Section 1184; 1932 Code Section 1184; Cr. C. '22 Section 74; Cr. C. '12 Section 223; Cr. C. '02 Section 171; G. S. 2501; R. S. 166; 1857 (12) 605; 1892 (21) 93; 1893 (21) 411; 1894 (21) 824; 1935 (39) 262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-535. Malicious injury to place of worship.

Whoever shall wilfully, unlawfully, and maliciously vandalize, deface, damage, or destroy or attempt to vandalize, deface, damage, or destroy any place, structure, or building of worship or aid, agree with, employ, or conspire with any person to do or cause to be done any of the acts mentioned above is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than six months nor more than ten years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both.
HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 485; 1996 Act No. 356, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-560. Burning or cutting untenanted or unfinished buildings.

It is unlawful for a person to maliciously, unlawfully, and wilfully burn or cause to be burned, cut or cause to be cut, or destroyed any untenanted or unfinished house or building or any frame of timber of another person made and prepared for or towards the making of a house, so that the house is not suitable for the purposes for which it was prepared.
A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-384; 1952 Code Section 16-384; 1942 Code Section 1182; 1932 Code Section 1182; Cr. C. '22 Section 72; Cr. C. '12 Section 217; Cr. C. '02 Section 162; G. S. 2845; R. S. 159; 1712 (2) 478; 1887 (19) 794; 1911 (27) 129; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 173.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-570. Injury or destruction of buildings or crops by tenant.

It is unlawful for a tenant to wilfully and maliciously cut, deface, mutilate, burn, destroy, or otherwise injure a dwelling house, outhouse, erection, building, or crops in his possession.
A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-385; 1952 Code Section 16-385; 1942 Code Section 1182; 1932 Code Section 1182; Cr. C. '22 Section 72; Cr. C. '12 Section 217; Cr. C. '02 Section 162; G. S. 2845; R. S. 159; 1712 (2) 478; 1887 (19) 794; 1911 (27) 129; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 174.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-580. Cutting, removing, or transporting forest products without consent of landowner; fraudulently acquiring forest products; penalties.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly and wilfully:
(1) cut, destroy, or remove forest products without the consent of the landowner;
(2) aid, hire, or counsel another person to cut, destroy, or remove forest products without the consent of the landowner;
(3) obtain or acquire forest products under false pretenses or with fraudulent intent; or
(4) transport forest products if the person knows that the forest products have been cut, removed, obtained, or acquired from the property of a landowner in violation of the provisions of this subsection.
(B) If the value of the forest products is one thousand dollars or less, a person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction:
(1) for a first offense, must be fined not more than fifteen hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both; and
(2) for a second or subsequent offense, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars and not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than sixty days, or both.
(C) If the value of the forest products is more than one thousand dollars but less than five thousand dollars, a person who violates the provisions of subsection (A):
(1) for a first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five thousand dollars and not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both; and
(2) for a second or subsequent offense, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than ten thousand dollars and not more than twenty thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than ten years.
(D) If the value of the forest products is five thousand dollars or more, a person who violates the provisions of subsection (A):
(1) for a first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than ten thousand dollars and not more than twenty thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than ten years, or both; and
(2) for a second or subsequent offense, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than ten thousand dollars and not more than twenty thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than ten years.
(E) As used in this section, "forest products" include, but are not limited to, timber, trees, logs, lumber, or pine straw or any other products in the forest, whether merchantable or nonmerchantable, and which are located on any land in this State, whether publicly or privately owned.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-385.1; 1960 (51) 1706; 1963 (53) 37; 2004 Act No. 273, Section 1, eff July 16, 2004 and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date; 2012 Act No. 225, Section 1, eff July 1, 2012.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-590. Destruction of sea oat or Venus's flytrap plants.

It shall be unlawful for any person to cut, collect, break or otherwise destroy sea oat plants, Venus's-flytrap plants or any part on public property or on private property without the owner's consent. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days nor less than five days. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-385.2; 1961 (52) 427; 1980 Act No. 417.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-600. Notice of trespassing; purple paint.

(A) Every entry upon the lands of another, after notice from the owner or tenant has been posted or given prohibiting such entry, is a misdemeanor and must be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment not more than thirty days.
(B) The owner or tenant of any lands may accomplish the posting of notice as follows:
(1) by posting a notice in four conspicuous places on the borders of such land prohibiting entry thereon; or
(2) by marking boundaries with a clearly visible purple-painted marking, consisting of one vertical line not less than eight inches in length and two inches in width, and the bottom of the mark not less than three nor more than six feet from the ground or normal water surface. These marks must be affixed to immovable, permanent objects that are not more than one hundred yards apart and readily visible to any person approaching the property.
(C) When any owner or tenant of any lands shall post a notice as provided in this section, a proof of the posting is deemed and taken as notice conclusive against the person making entry for the purpose of trespassing.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-386; 1952 Code Section 16-386; 1942 Code Section 1190; 1932 Code Section 1190; Cr. C. '22 Section 81; Cr. C. '12 Section 241; Cr. C. '02 Section 186; G. S. 2507; R. S. 176; 1866 (13) 406; 1883 (18) 43; 1898 (22) 811; 1954 (48) 1705; 2022 Act No. 219 (H.3291), Section 1, eff May 23, 2022.
Effect of Amendment
2022 Act No. 219, Section 1, rewrote the section, allowing for a different method of the posting of notice of trespassing involving clearly visible purple-painted boundaries.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-610. Entry on another's lands for various purposes without permission.

Any person entering upon the lands of another for the purpose of hunting, fishing, trapping, netting; for gathering fruit, wild flowers, cultivated flowers, shrubbery, straw, turf, vegetables or herbs; or for cutting timber on such land, without the consent of the owner or manager, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall, for a first offense, be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, for a second offense, be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and, for a third or subsequent offense, be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months or both. A first or second offense prosecution resulting in a conviction shall be reported by the magistrate or city recorder hearing the case to the communications and records division of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division which shall keep a record of such conviction so that any law enforcement agency may inquire into whether or not a defendant has a prior record. Only those offenses which occurred within a period of ten years, including and immediately preceding the date of the last offense, shall constitute prior offenses within the meaning of this section.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-387; 1952 Code Section 16-387; 1942 Code Section 1191; 1932 Code Section 1191; Cr. C. '22 Section 82; Cr. C. '12 Section 242; 1905 (24) 906; 1927 (35) 377; 1979 Act No. 62 Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-615. Payment of treble damages; discharge from further penalty.

In all criminal prosecutions for violation of the provisions of Sections 16-11-520, 16-11-580, and 16-11-610, relating to cutting or destroying timber, the defendant may plead the payment of not to exceed exactly three times the fair market value of the timber as determined by a registered forester and upon the plea being legally established and the payment of all costs accrued at the time of the plea he must be discharged from further penalty. If it is necessary to institute civil action to recover the fair market value of the timber, the State, in case of state lands, and the owner, in case of private lands, shall receive damages of not to exceed exactly three times the fair market value of the timber established by a registered forester if judgment is in favor of the State or the owner.
HISTORY: 1985 Act No. 33.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-617. Entry on another's land for purpose of cultivating marijuana.

It is unlawful for a person to enter on the land of another for the purpose of cultivating or attempting to cultivate marijuana. The provisions of this section are cumulative to other provisions of law. To constitute a violation of this section, a minimum of twenty-five marijuana plants must be cultivated. A person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years and fined not more than five thousand dollars.
HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 486; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 28.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-620. Entering premises after warning or refusing to leave on request; jurisdiction and enforcement.

Any person who, without legal cause or good excuse, enters into the dwelling house, place of business, or on the premises of another person after having been warned not to do so or any person who, having entered into the dwelling house, place of business, or on the premises of another person without having been warned fails and refuses, without good cause or good excuse, to leave immediately upon being ordered or requested to do so by the person in possession or his agent or representative shall, on conviction, be fined not more than two hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
All municipal courts of this State as well as those of magistrates may try and determine criminal cases involving violations of this section occurring within the respective limits of such municipalities and magisterial districts. All peace officers of the State and its subdivisions shall enforce the provisions hereof within their respective jurisdictions.
The provisions of this section shall be construed as being in addition to, and not as superseding, any other statutes of the State relating to trespass or entry on lands of another.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-388; 1960 (51) 1729; 1981 Act No. 76, Section 3; 1996 Act No. 279, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-625. Public library trespass; warning; appeal; penalties.

(A)(1) A person who enters a public library, without legal cause or good excuse, after having been warned not to do so by the library director, the branch manager, or the acting branch manager of the library in consultation with the library director is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or be imprisoned not more than thirty days.
(2) A copy of the warning provided for by subsection (A)(1) must be given to the person in writing, in the presence of a law enforcement officer, and must state:
(a) the alleged criminal law violation or the alleged violation of the library's code of conduct promulgated by the library's board of trustees under the authority provided by Section 4-9-37(b);
(b) the duration of the prohibition to return; and
(c) the procedure by which the person may appeal the warning to the library board of trustees. The person receiving notice of trespass wishing to appeal the notice must submit a request for a hearing to the board within five business days of receiving the notice. The board of trustees of the library must then provide a hearing within ten business days of the request for an appeal.
(B) A violation of the provisions of this section is triable in the appropriate municipal or magistrates court with jurisdiction over the offense. Any law enforcement officer of this State or a subdivision of this State may enforce the provisions of this section within their respective jurisdictions.
(C) The provisions of this section must be construed as in addition to, and not as superseding, another statute relating to trespass or unlawful entry on lands of another.
HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 296 (S.813), Section 1, eff August 27, 2014.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-630. Refusing to leave certain public premises during hours when they are regularly closed.

Any person who, during those hours of the day or night when the premises owned or occupied by a state, county or municipal agency are regularly closed to the public, shall refuse or fail, without justifiable cause, to leave those premises upon being requested to do so by a law enforcement officer or guard, watchman or custodian responsible for the security or care of the premises, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, be fined not more than one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-388.1; 1968 (56) 657.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-640. Unlawful entry into enclosed places.

It shall be unlawful for any person not an occupant, owner or invitee to enter any private property enclosed by walls or fences with closed gates between the hours of six P.M. and six A.M. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any justifiable emergency entry or to premises which are not posted with clearly visible signs prohibiting trespass upon the enclosed premises. The provisions of this section are supplemental to existing law relating to trespass and punishment therefor. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-388.2; 1974 (58) 2636.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-650. Removing, destroying or leaving down fences; penalties; magistrate court jurisdiction; easement holder's rights.

(A) A person, other than the owner or a person acting under the authority of the owner, who wilfully and knowingly removes, destroys, or leaves down any portion of a fence in this State intended to enclose animals of any kind or crops or uncultivated lands or who wilfully and knowingly leaves open or removes a gate or leaves down bars or other structure intended for the same purpose is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be punished by a fine of one thousand dollars or imprisonment for thirty days, or both.
(B) The magistrates court is vested with jurisdiction to hear and dispose of these cases.
(C) Nothing in this section shall affect an easement holder's right and ability to maintain such easement and rights of way consistent with the provisions of the document granting such easement.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-389; 1952 Code Section 16-389; 1942 Code Section 1222; 1932 Code Section 1222; Cr. C. '22 Section 110; Cr. C. '12 Section 229; Cr. C. '02 Section 176; G. S. 1190; R. S. 171; 1881 (17) 593; 1903 (24) 111; 1921 (32) 200; 2009 Act No. 56, Section 1, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on June 3, 2009).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-660. Traveling outside of road on cultivated lands.

It shall be a misdemeanor for any person wilfully to walk, drive or ride or to allow his team to travel outside of the road on the cultivated lands of another, punishable as provided in Section 16-11-650; provided, that in case any person charged with this misdemeanor be brought before or reported to a magistrate he may discharge himself from any further proceedings therein by paying such fine within the above limits as the magistrate may impose.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-390; 1952 Code Section 16-390; 1942 Code Section 1224; 1932 Code Section 1224; Cr. C. '22 Section 112; Cr. C. '12 Section 232; Cr. C. '02 Section 178; G. S. 1192; R. S. 173; 1881 (17) 593.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-670. Pleading satisfaction in prosecutions under Sections 16-11-650 and 16-11-660.

In all criminal prosecutions for violation of the provisions of Sections 16-11-650 and 16-11-660 the defendant may plead, as a matter of defense, the full satisfaction of all reasonable demands of the person aggrieved by such violation, and upon such plea being legally established and upon payment of all costs accrued up to the time of such plea he shall be discharged from further penalty.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-391; 1952 Code Section 16-391; 1942 Code Section 1225; 1932 Code Section 1225; Cr. C. '22 Section 113; Cr. C. '12 Section 233; Cr. C. '02 Section 179; G. S. 1193; R. S. 173; 1881 (17) 594.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-680. Altering and removing landmarks.

If any person shall knowingly, wilfully, maliciously or fraudulently cut, fell, alter or remove any certain boundary tree or other allowed landmark, such person so offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars or imprisoned not exceeding thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-392; 1952 Code Section 16-392; 1942 Code Section 1166; 1932 Code Section 1166; Cr. C. '22 Section 59; Cr. C. '12 Section 197; 1902 (23) 1094.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-690. Failure to return boat, flat or tool used for mining phosphate.

Any person being entrusted with any boat, flat or tools for gathering phosphate rock by the owner thereof for the purpose of mining or gathering phosphate rock who shall fail to return the same to the owner within two days after being required by such owner so to do shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof before a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be fined in the sum of not more than fifty dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, in the discretion of the court. It shall be a complete defense to any indictment or prosecution instituted under this section if the defendant shall make it appear that his failure to return the property was due to his inability so to return the same, such inability not being the result of the defendant's act, or that the agreed time in which such property was to be returned had not expired at the time of his failure to return the same.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-393; 1952 Code Section 16-393; 1942 Code Section 1205; 1932 Code Section 1205; Cr. C. '22 Section 93; Cr. C. '12 Section 254; Cr. C. '02 Section 195; 1900 (23) 445.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-710. Acceptance of cash bond in lieu of immediate court appearance in litter control prosecutions.

When any person is charged with a violation of 16-11-700 or any county ordinance relating to litter control, any officer authorized to enforce such law or ordinance may accept a cash bond in lieu of requiring an immediate court appearance. Such bond shall not exceed the maximum fine provided for a conviction of the offense charged and may be forfeited to the court by the enforcement officer if the person charged fails to appear in court.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-396.1; 1975 (59) 317.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-720. Dumping trash in or along shoreline of Lake Greenwood; penalties.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to dump, leave or throw any rubbish, trash, garbage, cans, bottles, containers, paper, oil, grease or other similar substances or dead animals into the waters or along the shoreline of Lake Greenwood.
(2) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-396.1; 1971 (57) 490.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-725. Rummaging through or stealing household garbage for purposes of committing identity theft; penalty; exception for officers of the law.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to rummage through or steal another person's household garbage or litter, as defined in Section 44-67-30(4), for the purpose of committing financial identity fraud or identity fraud or identity theft as defined in Sections 16-13-510 and 37-20-110.
(B)(1) A person that violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars for the first violation and one thousand dollars for each subsequent violation.
(2) A person who knowingly and wilfully violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class F felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years and fined not more than one thousand dollars, or both.
(C) A conviction pursuant to the provisions of this section and the possession of identifying information as defined in Section 16-13-510 is prima facie evidence of financial identity fraud, identity fraud, or identity theft pursuant to Sections 16-13-510 and 37-20-110.
(D) This section does not prohibit a duly constituted officer of the law from performing his official duties in ferreting out offenders or suspected offenders against violating the laws of this State or a county or municipality for the purpose of apprehending the suspected violator. The provisions of this section must not be construed to give an officer any additional rights or powers upon private property but must be construed as preserving only his previous powers.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 190, Section 5, eff December 31, 2008.
Editor's Note
Section 44-67-30(4), referenced in (A), was repealed by 2015 Act No. 8.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-730. Malicious injury to or interference with microwave radio or television facilities; unauthorized use of facilities.

Any person who shall (1) wilfully or maliciously break, injure or otherwise destroy or damage any of the posts, wires, towers or other materials or fixtures employed in the construction or use of any line of a television coaxial cable, or a microwave radio system or a community antenna television system or (2) wilfully or maliciously interfere with such structure so erected or (3) in any way attempt to lead from its uses or make use of the electrical signal or any portion thereof properly belonging to or in use or in readiness to be made use of for the purposes of using said electrical signal from any television coaxial cable company or microwave system or a community antenna television system or owner of such property shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, in the discretion of the court.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-397; 1964 (53) 1742.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-750. Unlawful injury or interference with electric lines.

It shall be unlawful for any person within this State, wilfully and wantonly and without the consent of the owner, (a) to take down, remove, injure, obstruct, displace or destroy any line erected or constructed for the transmission of electrical current or any poles, towers, wires, conduits, cables, insulators or support upon which wires or cables may be suspended or any part of any such line or appurtenances or apparatus connected therewith, (b) to sever any wire or cable thereof or in any manner interrupt the transmission of electrical current over and along any such line, (c) to take down, remove, injure or destroy any house, shop, building or other structure or machinery connected with or necessary to the use of any line erected or constructed for the transmission of electrical current or (d) to wantonly or wilfully cause injury to any of the property mentioned in this section by means of fire. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not longer than one year, or both fined and imprisoned, in the discretion of the court. But nothing herein contained shall operate to prevent any person from removing any such wires or apparatus affixed to his private property without his consent.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 24-453; 1952 Code Section 24-453; 1942 Code Section 1202; 1932 Code Section 1202; Cr. C. '22 Section 91; Cr. C. '12 Section 252; 1902 (23) 1102; 1904 (24) 443; 1908 (25) 1078.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-755. Operation of certain motor vehicles on utility rights of way unlawful; penalties.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person other than the landowner or someone who specifically acts with his permission, or an employee or agent of the utility which owns the utility right-of-way concerned to operate a mini-bike, motor-bike, motorcycle, jeep, dune buggy, automobile, truck or other power driven vehicle on the land which constitutes the utility right-of-way if the utility, after obtaining permission of the landowner in writing, posts signs at conspicuous places on such right-of-way which read substantially as follows:
"NO TRESPASSING
It is unlawful to operate a mini-bike, motor-bike, motorcycle, jeep, dune buggy, automobile, or truck upon this right-of-way. Violators will be subject to a fine of two hundred dollars."
(2) The prohibition of trespass as provided for in this section does not contradict or in any manner diminish the property rights of the owner of the land subject to the easement or of the utility's rights in its easement.
(3) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars for each offense.
HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 86 Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses › Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Property › Section 16-11-760. Parking on private property without permission; removal of vehicles; lien for towing and storage; sale of vehicles; penalty for violation.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to park a vehicle, as defined in Section 56-5-5630, on the private property of another without the owner's consent. If the property is for commercial use, the owner must post a notice in a conspicuous place on the borders of the property near each entrance prohibiting parking. Proof of the posting is considered notice conclusive against the person making entry.
(B) A vehicle found parked on private property may be towed and stored at the expense of the registered owner or lienholder, subject to the limitations on allowed storage charges set forth in Section 29-15-10, and charges for towing, storing, preserving the vehicle, and expenses incurred if the owner and lienholder are notified pursuant to Section 29-15-10 constitute a lien against the vehicle, provided that the towing company makes notification to the law enforcement agency pursuant to Section 56-5-2525.
(C) If the vehicle is not claimed by the owner, lienholder, or his agent, the vehicle must be sold pursuant to Section 29-15-10 by a magistrate in the county in which the vehicle was towed or stored.
(D) A person violating the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. This punishment is in addition to the other remedies authorized in this section.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-807; 1958 (50) 1670; 1966 (54) 2075; 1987 Act No. 185 Section 1; 2003 Act No. 71, Section 2, eff June 25, 2003; 2004 Act No. 269, Section 10, eff July 6, 2004; 2022 Act No. 233 (H.3729), Section 1, eff June 17, 2022.
Effect of Amendment
2022 Act No. 233, Section 1, in (B), inserted "subject to the limitations on allowed storage charges set forth in Section 29-15-10,".