State Information Wiki

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//While we strive to be as accurate and complete as possible, our researchers are not attorneys, and state laws are often full of nuances and gaps. Legal challenges in some states have resulted in different registration requirements based on the year of conviction or first registration. **Users must accept all risks **associated with actions taken based on this information. **Please help us improve **by reporting any errors or omissions via our form at **[[https://narsol.org/wiki-response/|https://narsol.org/wiki-response/]]** //

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* All chapter 23 statutes are at same link; all chapter 16 statutes at same link.

===== South Carolina Laws Regarding Registration =====

=== Who must register? ===

23-3-430 *\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php]]

=== What information must registrants provide? ===

23-3-530 *\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php]]

=== How frequently must they register? And for how long? ===

Quarterly/biannually 23-3-460(A)(B) *\\
For life 23-3-460(A) *\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php]]

=== Does the state categorize registrants by levels/tiers? ===

Yes, Tier I, II, and III; but the tiers are not actually defined in the law. The State Law Enforcement Division uses definitions based on the Adam Walsh Act/SORNA.\\
Sexual Offenders FAQ\\
[[http://scor.sled.sc.gov/FAQs.aspx|http://scor.sled.sc.gov/FAQs.aspx]]

=== Does the state use risk assessment when assigning tiers or levels to registrants? ===

No.

=== Do any registrants remain privately registered? If so, who? ===

No.

=== Is there a registration fee? ===

Yes\\
$150 Annually. Can be exempted if below poverty level.\\
Section 62.10 of the State Appropriations Act\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess124_2021-2022/appropriations2021/tap1b.htm|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess124_2021-2022/appropriations2021/tap1b.htm]]

=== Are there special restrictions for registrants even after supervision? ===

Residency 23-3-535 *\\
Against living in campus housing, state supported 23-3-465 *\\
Release to public, to newspapers 23-3-490 *\\
Electronic monitoring 23-3-540 *\\
Internet identifiers 23-3-555d *\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php]]\\
Fees 62 D100 62.10\\
[[http://scstatehouse.gov/query.php?search=DOC&searchtext=62.22&category=BUDGET&year=2017&version_id=7&return_page=&version_title=Appropriation%20Act&coniSd=8882929&result_pos=0&keyval=37068&numrows=50|http://scstatehouse.gov/query.php?search=DOC&searchtext=62.22&category=BUDGET&year=2017&version_id=7&return_page=&version_title=Appropriation%20Act&coniSd=8882929&result_pos=0&keyval=37068&numrows=50]]

=== Is there a process for removal from the registry? If so, who qualifies and what is the process? ===

Yes - "on May 23, 2022, Governor Henry D. McMaster signed Act 221, former House Bill 4075, into law. This Act affords all sex offenders in South Carolina a mechanism to seek removal from South Carolina’s lifetime sex offender registry in response to the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision in Powell v. Keel. This bill creates state tiers for offenders and provides reasonable avenues for removal based on the offender’s applicable state tier."\\
[[https://www.sled.sc.gov/sor_removal|https://www.sled.sc.gov/sor_removal]]

=== What is the registration requirement for someone with a sexual offense who is visiting the state? ===

After 10 or more consecutive days.\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php]]

=== What is the registration requirement for someone with a sexual offense who will be moving to the state to live or to attend school? ===

Within three days 23-3-460(G) *\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php]]


===== State Laws Regarding Sexual Offenses and Offenders, other than registration =====

=== What sexual offenses can people be convicted of, and what are the ranges of sentences? ===

16-3-652 – 659; 16-3-755; 16-3-800 – 820\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c003.php]]

=== Does the state have lifetime supervision? ===

Lifetime electronic monitoring can be allowed for those on lifetime registration 23-3-540(H) *\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php]]

=== Does the state have indeterminate sentencing? ===

Perplexity AI: South Carolina primarily uses indeterminate sentencing for most offenses.\\
[[https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=265736&article_id=2060075&view=articleBrowser|https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=265736&article_id=2060075&view=articleBrowser]]

=== What are the state civil commitment laws? ===

Title 44 44-48-10 – 44-48-170\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t44c048.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t44c048.php]]\\
See also\\
[[http://www.scag.gov/sexually-violent-predator|http://www.scag.gov/sexually-violent-predator]]

=== What is the age of consent? ===

Age 16 16-3-655(2)\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c003.php]]

=== Are there “Romeo and Juliet” laws or other laws specific to young people? ===

No. Mistake of age may be used as a defense in some cases.


===== State Laws Regarding Sexual Offenses and Offenders, other than registration =====

=== What sexual offenses can people be convicted of, and what are the ranges of sentences? ===

16-3-652 – 659; 16-3-755; 16-3-800 – 820\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c003.php]]

=== Does the state have lifetime supervision? ===

Lifetime electronic monitoring can be allowed for those on lifetime registration 23-3-540(H) *\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t23c003.php]]

=== Does the state have indeterminate sentencing? ===

Perplexity AI: South Carolina primarily uses indeterminate sentencing for most offenses\\
[[https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=265736&article_id=2060075&view=articleBrowser|https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=265736&article_id=2060075&view=articleBrowser]]

=== What are the state civil commitment laws? ===

Title 44 44-48-10 – 44-48-170\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t44c048.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t44c048.php]]\\
See also\\
[[http://www.scag.gov/sexually-violent-predator|http://www.scag.gov/sexually-violent-predator]]

=== What is the age of consent? ===

Age 16 16-3-655(2)\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c003.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c003.php]]

=== Are there “Romeo and Juliet” laws or other laws specific to young people? ===

No. Mistake of age may be used as a defense in some cases.


===== Info for State Advocates =====

=== Are felons allowed to vote? If so, when is this right restored? ===

Yes, after prison, parole, and probation\\
[[https://www.scjustice.org/people-felony-records-can-vote-south-carolina-heres/|https://www.scjustice.org/people-felony-records-can-vote-south-carolina-heres/]]

=== What does the state say about persons who are required to register? ===

Law enforcement FAQs (must click Agree and complete a Captcha before you can actually get to the FAQ)\\
[[http://scor.sled.sc.gov/FAQs.aspx|http://scor.sled.sc.gov/FAQs.aspx]]\\
[[https://ppp.sc.gov/sex-offender-management|https://ppp.sc.gov/sex-offender-management]]

=== How does the state’s legislative process work? ===

[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/publicationspage/Booklet_2010_14thedition.pdf|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/publicationspage/Booklet_2010_14thedition.pdf]]\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/studentpage/What/What.shtml|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/studentpage/What/What.shtml]]

=== How can I locate legislation regarding sexual offense issues? ===

[[https://rainn.org/laws-your-state-south-carolina|https://rainn.org/laws-your-state-south-carolina]]\\
May search by a variety of methods, including by subject and an index\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislation.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislation.php]]

=== Best keywords are: ===

Sex offender; sexual offense; sex offense registry

=== How to sign up for notifications of bill movement: ===

Offers free and subscription services\\
[[https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/ncsl-50-state-searchable-bill-tracking-databases|https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/ncsl-50-state-searchable-bill-tracking-databases]]

=== Most important legislative committees for our issues are: ===

House judiciary\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/CommitteeInfo/housejudiciary.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/CommitteeInfo/housejudiciary.php]]\\
Senate judiciary\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/CommitteeInfo/senatejudiciary.php|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/CommitteeInfo/senatejudiciary.php]]\\
Joint Sentencing reform oversight\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/publicationspage/JtSpecCommList.pdf|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/publicationspage/JtSpecCommList.pdf]]

=== Contact info for state legislators can be found at: ===

Senate\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?chamber=S|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?chamber=S]]\\
House\\
[[https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?chamber=H|https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?chamber=H]]


===== Other Useful State Information =====

=== Contact information for state registry office ===

SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION\\
4400 BROAD RIVER ROAD\\
COLUMBIA, SC 29210\\
803-896-2601\\
Email form at link (must accept terms, do captcha, choose contact)\\
[[http://WWW.SLED.SC.GOV|http://WWW.SLED.SC.GOV]]\\
[[http://scor.sled.sc.gov/ContactUs.aspx|http://scor.sled.sc.gov/ContactUs.aspx]]

=== NARSOL state affiliate website or blog: ===

**South Carolinians for Rational Sex Offense Laws** \\
[[https://scrsol.org/|https://scrsol.org]]\\
P.O. Box 5594, Anderson, SC 29623

=== Other helpful state advocacy groups: ===

Response needed.

=== Other registrant-friendly state support groups: ===

Response needed.

=== Other helpful information ===

* All chapter 23 statutes are at same link; all chapter 16 statutes at same link.

[[http://www.sexoffenderresource.com/south-carolina/|http://www.sexoffenderresource.com/south-carolina/]]