CHAPTER 11 - OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY - South Carolina Statutes

SOUTH CAROLINA STATUTES AND CODES

CHAPTER 11 - OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY

Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses

CHAPTER 11.

OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY

ARTICLE 1.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 16-11-10. "Dwelling house" defined in case of burglary, arson and other criminal offenses.

With respect to the crimes of burglary and arson and to all criminal offenses which are constituted or aggravated by being committed in a dwelling house, any house, outhouse, apartment, building, erection, shed or box in which there sleeps a proprietor, tenant, watchman, clerk, laborer or person who lodges there with a view to the protection of property shall be deemed a dwelling house, and of such a dwelling house or of any other dwelling house all houses, outhouses, buildings, sheds and erections which are within two hundred yards of it and are appurtenant to it or to the same establishment of which it is an appurtenance shall be deemed parcels.

SECTION 16-11-20. Making, mending or possessing tools or other implements capable of being used in crime.

It is unlawful for a person to make or mend, cause to be made or mended, or have in his possession any engine, machine, tool, false key, picklock, bit, nippers, nitroglycerine, dynamite cap, coil or fuse, steel wedge, drill, tap-pin, or other implement or thing adapted, designed, or commonly used for the commission of burglary, larceny, safecracking, or other crime, under circumstances evincing an intent to use, employ, or allow the same to be used or employed in the commission of a crime, or knowing that the same are intended to be so used.

A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

SECTION 16-11-30. Possession of master keys and nonowner key sets.

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Master key" means a key which unlocks more than one locking device.

(2) "Nonowner key sets" means a set of keys designed to open locking devices in a group of products, machines, or vehicles of a particular manufacturer, which differ in configuration from the keys issued by the manufacturer at the time of sale for the locking devices.

(B) A person who has in his possession, actual or constructive, while engaged in the commission of a crime against the person or property of another, a master key or nonowner key set as defined in subsection (A), or if a master key is used in the commission of any such offense against the laws of this State, he is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than three years.

ARTICLE 3.

ARSON AND OTHER OFFENSES INVOLVING FIRE

SECTION 16-11-110. Arson.

(A) A person who wilfully and maliciously causes an explosion, sets fire to, burns, or causes to be burned or aids, counsels, or procures a burning that results in damage to a building, structure, or any property specified in subsections (B) and (C) whether the property of himself or another, which results, either directly or indirectly, in death or serious bodily injury to a person is guilty of arson in the first degree and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than ten nor more than thirty years.

(B) A person who wilfully and maliciously causes an explosion, sets fire to, burns, or causes to be burned or aids, counsels, or procures the burning that results in damage to a dwelling house, church or place of worship, a public or private school facility, a manufacturing plant or warehouse, a building where business is conducted, an institutional facility, or any structure designed for human occupancy to include local and municipal buildings, whether the property of himself or another, is guilty of arson in the second degree and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than five nor more than twenty-five years.

(1) causes an explosion, sets fire to, burns, or causes a burning which results in damage to a building or structure other than those specified in subsection (A) or (B), a railway car, a ship, boat, or other watercraft, an aircraft, an automobile or other motor vehicle, or personal property; or

(2) aids, counsels, or procures a burning that results in damage to a building or structure other than those specified in subsection (A) or (B), a railway car, a ship, boat, or other watercraft, an aircraft, an automobile or other motor vehicle, or personal property with intent to destroy or damage by explosion or fire; whether the property of himself or another, is guilty of arson in the third degree and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than one and not more than ten years.

(D) For purposes of this section, "damage" means an application of fire or explosive that results in burning, charring, blistering, scorching, smoking, singeing, discoloring, or changing the fiber or composition of a building, structure, or any property specified in this section.

SECTION 16-11-125. Making false claim or statement in support of claim to obtain insurance benefits for fire or explosion loss.

Any person who wilfully and knowingly presents or causes to be presented a false or fraudulent claim, or any proof in support of such claim, for the payment of a fire loss or loss caused by an explosion, upon any contract of insurance or certificate of insurance which includes benefits for such a loss, or prepares, makes, or subscribes to a false or fraudulent account, certificate, affidavit, or proof of loss, or other documents or writing, with intent that such documents may be presented or used in support of such claim, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than five years or both in the discretion of the court.

The provisions of this section are supplemental to and not in lieu of existing law relating to falsification of documents and penalties therefor.

SECTION 16-11-130. Burning personal property to defraud insurer.

Any person who (a) wilfully and with intent to injure or defraud an insurer sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned or (b) aids, counsels, or procures the burning of any goods, wares, merchandise, or other chattels or personal property of any kind, whether the property of himself or of another, which is at the time insured by any person against loss or damage by fire is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not less than one nor more than five years.

SECTION 16-11-140. Burning of crops, fuel or lumber.

It is unlawful for a person to (a) wilfully and maliciously set fire to or burn or cause to be burned, or (b) aid, counsel, or procure the burning of any:

(1) barracks, cock, crib, rick or stack of hay, corn, wheat, oats, barley, or other grain or vegetable product of any kind;

(2) field of standing hay or grain of any kind;

(3) pile of coal, wood, or other fuel;

(4) pile of planks, boards, posts, rails, or other lumber.

A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than three years.

SECTION 16-11-150. Burning lands of another without consent.

It shall be unlawful for any person without prior written consent of the landowner or his agent to intentionally set fire to lands of another, or to intentionally cause or allow fire to spread to lands of another, whereby any woods, fields, fences or marshes of any other person are burned. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be punished as follows: (a) For the first offense, by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, (b) for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than five years.

SECTION 16-11-160. Carrying fire on lands of another without permit.

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a lighted torch, chunk or coals of fire in or under any mill or wooden building or over and across any of the enclosed or unenclosed lands of another person at any time without the special permit of the owner of such lands, mill or wooden building, whether any damage result therefrom or not. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed thirty days or to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars.

SECTION 16-11-170. Wilfully burning lands of another.

It is unlawful for a person to wilfully and maliciously set fire to or burn any grass, brush, or other combustible matter, causing any woods, fields, fences, or marshes of another person to be set on fire or cause the burning or fire to spread to or to be transmitted to the lands of another, or to aid or assist in such conduct.

A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years. A person convicted under this section is liable to any person who may have sustained damage.

SECTION 16-11-180. Negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another.

Any person who carelessly or negligently sets fire to or burns any grass, brush, leaves, or other combustible matter on any lands so as to cause or allow fire to spread or to be transmitted to the lands or property of another, or to burn or injure the lands or property of another, or who causes the burning to be done or who aids or assists in the burning, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not less than five days nor more than thirty days or be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars. For a second or subsequent offense the sentence must be imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than one year, or a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or both, in the discretion of the court.

SECTION 16-11-190. Attempts to burn.

It is unlawful for a person to wilfully and maliciously attempt to set fire to, burn, or aid, counsel, or procure the burning of any of the buildings or property mentioned in Sections 16-11-110 to 16-11-140 or commit an act in furtherance of burning these buildings.

A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars.

SECTION 16-11-200. Placing or distributing combustible materials and the like in buildings and property as constituting attempt.

The placing or distributing of any inflammable, explosive or combustible materials or substance or any device in any building or property mentioned in Sections 16-11-110 to 16-11-140 in an arrangement or preparation with intent eventually wilfully and maliciously to set fire to or burn the same or to procure the setting fire to or burning of the same shall for the purposes of Section 16-11-190 constitute an attempt to burn such building or property.

ARTICLE 5.

BURGLARY, HOUSEBREAKING, ROBBERY AND THE LIKE

SECTION 16-11-310. Definitions.

For purposes of Sections 16-11-311 through 16-11-313:

(1) "Building" means any structure, vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft:

(a) Where any person lodges or lives; or

(b) Where people assemble for purposes of business, government, education, religion, entertainment, public transportation, or public use or where goods are stored. Where a building consists of two or more units separately occupied or secured, each unit is deemed both a separate building in itself and a part of the main building.

(2) "Dwelling" means its definition found in Section 16-11-10 and also means the living quarters of a building which is used or normally used for sleeping, living, or lodging by a person.

(3) "Enters a building without consent" means:

(a) To enter a building without the consent of the person in lawful possession; or

(b) To enter a building by using deception, artifice, trick, or misrepresentation to gain consent to enter from the person in lawful possession.

SECTION 16-11-311. Burglary; first degree.

(A) A person is guilty of burglary in the first degree if the person enters a dwelling without consent and with intent to commit a crime in the dwelling, and either:

(1) when, in effecting entry or while in the dwelling or in immediate flight, he or another participant in the crime:

(a) is armed with a deadly weapon or explosive; or

(b) causes physical injury to a person who is not a participant in the crime; or

(d) displays what is or appears to be a knife, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, or other firearm; or

(2) the burglary is committed by a person with a prior record of two or more convictions for burglary or housebreaking or a combination of both; or

(3) the entering or remaining occurs in the nighttime.

(B) Burglary in the first degree is a felony punishable by life imprisonment. For purposes of this section, "life" means until death. The court, in its discretion, may sentence the defendant to a term of not less than fifteen years.

SECTION 16-11-312. Burglary; second degree.

(A) A person is guilty of burglary in the second degree if the person enters a dwelling without consent and with intent to commit a crime therein.

(B) A person is guilty of burglary in the second degree if the person enters a building without consent and with intent to commit a crime therein, and either:

(1) When, in effecting entry or while in the building or in immediate flight therefrom, he or another participant in the crime:

(a) Is armed with a deadly weapon or explosive; or

(b) Causes physical injury to any person who is not a participant in the crime; or

(d) Displays what is or appears to be a knife, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, or other firearm; or

(2) The burglary is committed by a person with a prior record of two or more convictions for burglary or housebreaking or a combination of both; or

(3) The entering or remaining occurs in the nighttime.

(C) Burglary in the second degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than fifteen years, provided, that no person convicted of burglary in the second degree shall be eligible for parole except upon service of not less than one-third of the term of the sentence.

SECTION 16-11-313. Burglary; third degree.

(A) A person is guilty of burglary in the third degree if the person enters a building without consent and with intent to commit a crime therein.

(B) Burglary in the third degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than five years for conviction on a first offense and for not more than ten years for conviction of a second offense according to the discretion of the Court.

SECTION 16-11-325. Common law robbery classified as felony; penalty.

The common law offense of robbery is a felony. Upon conviction, a person must be imprisoned not more than fifteen years.

SECTION 16-11-330. Robbery and attempted robbery while armed with deadly weapon.

(A) A person who commits robbery while armed with a pistol, dirk, slingshot, metal knuckles, razor, or other deadly weapon, or while alleging, either by action or words, he was armed while using a representation of a deadly weapon or any object which a person present during the commission of the robbery reasonably believed to be a deadly weapon, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for a mandatory minimum term of not less than ten years or more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended or probation granted. A person convicted under this subsection is not eligible for parole until the person has served at least seven years of the sentence.

(B) A person who commits attempted robbery while armed with a pistol, dirk, slingshot, metal knuckles, razor, or other deadly weapon, or while alleging, either by action or words, he was armed while using a representation of a deadly weapon or any object which a person present during the commission of the robbery reasonably believed to be a deadly weapon, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than twenty years.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ARTICLE 6.

PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY

SECTION 16-11-410. Citation of article.

This article may be cited as the "Protection of Persons and Property Act".

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.

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.

SECTION 16-11-440. Presumption of reasonable fear of imminent peril when using deadly force against another unlawfully entering residence, occupied vehicle or place of business.

(A) A person is presumed to have a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily injury to himself or another person when using deadly force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily injury to another person if the person:

(1) against whom the deadly force is used is in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering, or has unlawfully and forcibly entered a dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle, or if he removes or is attempting to remove another person against his will from the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle; and

(2) who uses deadly force knows or has reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry or unlawful and forcible act is occurring or has occurred.

(B) The presumption provided in subsection (A) does not apply if the person:

(1) against whom the deadly force is used has the right to be in or is a lawful resident of the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle including, but not limited to, an owner, lessee, or titleholder; or

(2) sought to be removed is a child or grandchild, or is otherwise in the lawful custody or under the lawful guardianship, of the person against whom the deadly force is used; or

(3) who uses deadly force is engaged in an unlawful activity or is using the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle to further an unlawful activity; or

(4) against whom the deadly force is used is a law enforcement officer who enters or attempts to enter a dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle in the performance of his official duties, and he identifies himself in accordance with applicable law or the person using force knows or reasonably should have known that the person entering or attempting to enter is a law enforcement officer.

(C) A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in another place where he has a right to be, including, but not limited to, his place of business, has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury to himself or another person or to prevent the commission of a violent crime as defined in Section 16-1-60.

(D) A person who unlawfully and by force enters or attempts to enter a person's dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle is presumed to be doing so with the intent to commit an unlawful act involving force or a violent crime as defined in Section 16-1-60.

(E) A person who by force enters or attempts to enter a dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle in violation of an order of protection, restraining order, or condition of bond is presumed to be doing so with the intent to commit an unlawful act regardless of whether the person is a resident of the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle including, but not limited to, an owner, lessee, or titleholder.

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).

ARTICLE 7.

TRESPASSES AND UNLAWFUL USE OF PROPERTY OF OTHERS

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 five 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 one thousand dollars but less than five thousand dollars;

(3) misdemeanor triable in magistrate's court if the injury to the property or the property loss is worth one thousand dollars or less. Upon conviction, the person must be fined or imprisoned, or both, as permitted by law and without presentment or indictment by the grand jury.

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:

SECTION 16-11-523. Obtaining nonferrous metals unlawfully.

(A) For purposes of this section, "nonferrous metals" means metals not containing significant quantities of iron or steel, including copper wire, copper clad steel wire, copper pipe, copper bars, copper sheeting, aluminum, a product that is a mixture of aluminum and copper, catalytic converters, and stainless steel beer kegs or containers.

(B) It is unlawful for a person to wilfully and maliciously cut, mutilate, deface, or otherwise injure any personal or real property, including any fixtures or improvements, for the purpose of obtaining nonferrous metals in any amount.

(1) misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both, if the direct injury to the property, the amount of loss in value to the property, the amount of repairs necessary to return the property to its condition before the act, or the property loss, including fixtures or improvements, is one thousand dollars or less;

(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 direct injury to the property, the amount of loss in value to the property, the amount of repairs necessary to return the property to its condition before the act, or the property loss, including fixtures or improvements, is more than one thousand dollars but less than five thousand dollars; or

(3) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, if the direct injury to the property, the amount of loss in value to the property, the amount of repairs necessary to return the property to its condition before the act, or the property loss, including fixtures or improvements, is five thousand dollars or more.

(D)(1) A person who violates the provisions of this section and the violation results in great bodily injury to another person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than fifteen years. For purposes of this subsection, "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 any bodily member or organ.

(2) A person who violates the provisions of this section and the violation results in the death of another person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than thirty years.

(E)(1) A public or private owner of personal or real property is not civilly liable to a person who is injured during the theft or attempted theft, by the person or a third party, of nonferrous metals in any amount.

(2) A public or private owner of personal or real property is not civilly liable for a person's injuries caused by a dangerous condition created as a result of the theft or attempted theft of nonferrous metals in any amount, of the owner when the owner of personal or real property did not know and could not have reasonably known of the dangerous condition.

(3) This subsection does not create or impose a duty of care upon a owner of personal or real property that would not otherwise exist under common law.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

(C) If the value of the forest products is more than one thousand dollars, a person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be:

(1) fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned for not more than five years if the value of the forest products is more than one thousand dollars but less than five thousand dollars; or

(2) fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned for not more than ten years if the value of the forest products is five thousand dollars or more.

(D) 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.

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.

SECTION 16-11-600. Entry on another's pasture or other lands after notice; posting notice.

Every entry upon the lands of another where any horse, mule, cow, hog or any other livestock is pastured, or any other lands of another, after notice from the owner or tenant prohibiting such entry, shall be a misdemeanor and be punished by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment with hard labor on the public works of the county for not exceeding thirty days. When any owner or tenant of any lands shall post a notice in four conspicuous places on the borders of such land prohibiting entry thereon, a proof of the posting shall be deemed and taken as notice conclusive against the person making entry, as aforesaid, for the purpose of trespassing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SECTION 16-11-700. Dumping litter on private or public property prohibited; exceptions; responsibility for removal; penalties.

(A) A person, from a vehicle or otherwise, may not dump, throw, drop, deposit, discard, or otherwise dispose of litter or other solid waste, as defined by Section 44-96-40(46), upon public or private property or waters in the State including, but not limited to, a highway, park, beach, campground, forest land, recreational area, trailer park, road, street, or alley except:

(1) on property designated by the State for the disposal of litter and other solid waste and the person is authorized to use the property for that purpose; or

(2) into a litter receptacle in a manner that the litter is prevented from being carried away or deposited by the elements upon a part of the private or public property or waters.

(B) Responsibility for the removal of litter from property or receptacles is upon the person convicted pursuant to this section of littering the property or receptacles. If there is no conviction for littering, the responsibility is upon the owner of the property.

(C)(1) A person who violates the provisions of this section in an amount less than fifteen pounds in weight or twenty-seven cubic feet in volume is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days for a first or second conviction, or fined five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days for a third or subsequent conviction. In addition to the fine or term of imprisonment, the court also must impose eight hours of litter-gathering labor for a first conviction, sixteen hours of litter-gathering labor for a second conviction, and twenty-four hours of litter-gathering labor for a third or subsequent conviction, or other form of public service, under the supervision of the court, as the court may order because of physical or other incapacities.

(2) The fine for a deposit of a collection of litter or garbage in an area or facility not intended for public deposit of litter or garbage is one thousand dollars. The provisions of this item apply to a deposit of litter or garbage, as defined in Section 44-67-30(4), in an area or facility not intended for public deposit of litter or garbage. This item does not prohibit a private property owner from depositing litter or garbage as a property enhancement if the depositing does not violate applicable local or state health and safety regulations. In addition to a fine and for each offense pursuant to the provisions of this item, the court also shall impose a minimum of five hours of litter-gathering labor or other form of public service, under the supervision of the court, as the court may order because of physical or other incapacities.

(3) The court, instead of payment of the monetary fine imposed for a violation of this section, may direct the substitution of additional litter-gathering labor or other form of public service, under the supervision of the court, as it may order because of physical or other incapacities not to exceed one hour for each five dollars of fine imposed.

(4) In addition to other punishment authorized by this section, in the discretion of the court in which conviction is obtained, the person may be directed by the judge to pick up and remove from any public place or any private property, with prior permission of the legal owner of the property upon which it is established by competent evidence that the person has deposited litter, all litter deposited on the place or property by any person before the date of execution of sentence.

(D) A person who violates the provisions of this section in an amount exceeding fifteen pounds in weight or twenty-seven cubic feet in volume, but not exceeding five hundred pounds or one hundred cubic feet, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than ninety days. In addition, the court shall require the violator to pick up litter or perform other community service commensurate with the offense committed, up to one hundred hours.

(E)(1) A person who violates the provisions of this section in an amount exceeding five hundred pounds in weight or one hundred cubic feet in volume is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. In addition, the court may order the violator to:

(a) remove or render harmless the litter that he dumped in violation of this subsection;

(b) repair or restore property damaged by, or pay damages for damage arising out of, his dumping of litter in violation of this subsection; or

(c) perform community public service relating to the removal of litter dumped in violation of this subsection or relating to the restoration of an area polluted by litter dumped in violation of this subsection.

(2) A court may enjoin a violation of this subsection.

(3) A motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, container, crane, winch, or machine involved in the disposal of more than five hundred pounds in weight or more than one hundred cubic feet in volume of litter in violation of this subsection is declared contraband and is subject to seizure and summary forfeiture to the State.

(4) If a person sustains damages in connection with a violation of this subsection that gives rise to a felony against the person or his property, a court, in a civil action for those damages, shall order the wrongdoer to pay the injured party threefold the actual damages or two hundred dollars, whichever amount is greater. In addition, the court shall order the wrongdoer to pay the injured party's court costs and attorney's fees.

(5) A fine imposed pursuant to this subsection must not be suspended, in whole or in part.

(F)(1) When the penalty for a violation of this section includes litter-gathering labor in addition to a fine or imprisonment, the litter-gathering portion of the penalty is mandatory and must not be suspended; however, the court, upon the request of a person convicted of violating this section, may direct that the person pay an additional monetary penalty instead of the litter-gathering portion of the penalty that must be equal to the amount of five dollars an hour of litter-gathering labor. Probation must not be granted instead of the litter-gathering requirement, except for a person's physical or other incapacities.

(2) Funds collected pursuant to this subsection instead of the mandatory litter-gathering labor must be remitted to the county or municipality where the littering violation took place. The money collected may be used for the litter-gathering supervision.

(G) For purposes of the offenses established by this section, litter includes cigarettes and cigarette filters.

(H) A prior violation within the meaning of this section means only a violation of this section which occurred within a period of five years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation.

(I) Magistrates and municipal courts have jurisdiction to try violations of subsections (A), (B), (C), and (D) of this section.

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.

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.

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.

SECTION 16-11-730. Malicious injury to or interference with microwave radio or television facilities; unauthorized use of such 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.

SECTION 16-11-740. Malicious injury to telegraph, telephone or electric utility system.

It is unlawful for a person, without the consent of the owner, to wilfully:

(1) destroy, damage, or in any way injure a telegraph, telephone, electric utility system, satellite dish, or cable television system, including poles, cables, wires, fixtures, antennas, amplifiers, or other apparatus, equipment, or appliances;

(2) obstruct, impede, or impair their services or transmissions or;

(3) aid, agree with, employ, or conspire with a person to do or cause to be done any of the acts mentioned in this section.

A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years.

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.

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, af