H*3215(Rat #0097, Act #0064 of 2017)  General Bill, By J.E. Smith
 AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 16-17-770 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF IMPERSONATING A LAWYER AND PROVIDE
 GRADUATED PENALTIES. - ratified title

   12/15/16  House  Prefiled
   12/15/16  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/10/17  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 114)
   01/10/17  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (House Journal-page 114)
   03/22/17  House  Committee report: Favorable Judiciary
                     (House Journal-page 51)
   03/28/17  House  Read second time (House Journal-page 40)
   03/28/17  House  Roll call Yeas-100  Nays-0 (House Journal-page 40)
   03/29/17  House  Read third time and sent to Senate
                     (House Journal-page 11)
   03/29/17  Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 10)
   03/29/17  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (Senate Journal-page 10)
   04/13/17  Senate Referred to Subcommittee: Young (ch), Sabb, Talley
   04/26/17  Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 9)
   05/09/17  Senate Committee Amendment Adopted (Senate Journal-page 69)
   05/09/17  Senate Amended (Senate Journal-page 69)
   05/10/17  Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 51)
   05/10/17  Senate Roll call Ayes-34  Nays-1 (Senate Journal-page 51)
   05/11/17  Senate Read third time and returned to House with
                     amendments (Senate Journal-page 42)
   05/11/17  House  Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
                     (House Journal-page 25)
   05/11/17  House  Roll call Yeas-92  Nays-0 (House Journal-page 25)
   05/15/17         Ratified R 97
   05/19/17         Signed By Governor
   05/25/17         Effective date 5/19/17
   05/31/17         Act No. 64

(A64, R97, H3215)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-770 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF IMPERSONATING A LAWYER AND PROVIDE GRADUATED PENALTIES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Impersonating a lawyer, penalties

SECTION    1.    Article 7, Chapter 17, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 16-17-770.    (A)    It is unlawful for a person other than a lawyer, who is licensed to practice law in this State or in another state or jurisdiction in the United States and not disbarred or suspended from the practice of law in any state or jurisdiction, to represent to any person that he is a lawyer for the purpose of soliciting business, obtaining anything of value, or providing legal advice or assistance. A person who violates the provisions of this section:

(1)    for a first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both;

(2)    for a second offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than three years, or both; and

(3)    for a third or subsequent offense, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.

(B)    The provisions of this section do not alter the provisions of Chapter 5, Title 40, regulating the practice of law."

Time effective

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 15th day of May, 2017.

Approved the 19th day of May, 2017.