H*3271(Rat #0275, Act #0255 of 1996)  General Bill, By Richardson, Bailey, 
J.M. Baxley, B.D. Cain, C.D. Chamblee, Dantzler, Harrison, Harvin, Jennings, 
W.D. Keyserling, L.H. Limbaugh, Lloyd, McKay, Sandifer, J.S. Shissias, Spearman, 
Stuart, P.H. Thomas, J.W. Tucker, Vaughn, Walker, C.C. Wells, S.S. Wofford and 
Young-Brickell
 A Bill to amend Section 16-9-340, as amended, Code of Laws of South Carolina,
 1976, relating to the offense of intimidating court officials, jurors, or
 witnesses, so as to increase the penalties for violations.

   01/17/95  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-9
   01/17/95  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-9
   02/08/95  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Judiciary HJ-4
   02/09/95  House  Amended HJ-12
   02/09/95  House  Read second time HJ-13
   02/09/95  House  Unanimous consent for third reading on next
                     legislative day HJ-13
   02/10/95  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-2
   02/14/95  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-11
   02/14/95  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-11
   03/06/96  Senate Committee report: Favorable Judiciary SJ-19
   03/12/96  Senate Read second time SJ-17
   03/12/96  Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
                     amendments SJ-17
   03/14/96  Senate Amended SJ-11
   03/14/96  Senate Read third time and returned to House with
                     amendments SJ-11
   03/20/96  House  Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled HJ-43
   03/26/96         Ratified R 275
   04/01/96         Signed By Governor
   04/01/96         Effective date 04/01/96
   04/09/96         Copies available
   04/09/96         Act No. 255

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 16-9-340, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF INTIMIDATING COURT OFFICIALS, JURORS, OR WITNESSES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

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

Penalty increased

SECTION 1. Section 16-9-340(B) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 184 of 1993, is further amended to read:

"(B) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both."

Time effective

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

Approved the 1st day of April, 1996.