S 1284 General Bill, By Wilson, Peeler, Setzler and Thomas
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 15-75-40 so as to create a civil cause of action against shoplifters.

   02/11/92  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-7
   02/11/92  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-7

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 15-75-40 SO AS TO CREATE A CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST SHOPLIFTERS.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 75, Title 15 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 15-75-40. (A) As used in this section:

(1) `Shoplifting' means an act punishable under Section 16-13-110 and also includes the theft of cash or merchandise by employees of a mercantile establishment;

(2) `Store or other retail mercantile establishment' means an establishment as defined in Section 16-13-105(5);

(3) `Emancipated minor' means a person over the age of sixteen at the time of the alleged shoplifting and who was no longer a dependent of or in the custody of a parent or legal guardian.

(B) In a proceeding brought under this section the burden of proof is by a preponderance of the evidence.

(C) An adult or emancipated minor who commits shoplifting against the property of a store or other retail mercantile establishment is civilly liable to the operator of the establishment in an amount consisting of:

(1) the retail price of the merchandise if not recovered in merchantable condition up to an amount not to exceed fifteen hundred dollars; plus

(2) a penalty not to exceed the greater of five times the retail price of the merchandise or one hundred fifty dollars. In no event may the penalty exceed five hundred dollars.

(D) Parents or legal guardians of an unemancipated minor are civilly liable for the minor who commits shoplifting against the property of a store or other retail mercantile establishment to the operator of the establishment in an amount consisting of:

(1) the retail price of the merchandise if not recovered in merchantable condition up to an amount not to exceed fifteen hundred dollars; plus

(2) a penalty not to exceed the greater of five times the retail price of the merchandise or one hundred fifty dollars. In no event may the penalty exceed five hundred dollars.

(E) A conviction or a plea of guilty for committing shoplifting is not a prerequisite to the bringing of a civil suit, obtaining a judgment, or collecting that judgment under this section.

(F) The fact that an operator of a store or other retail mercantile establishment may bring an action against an individual as provided in this section does not limit the right of the merchant to demand, orally or in writing, that a person who is liable for damages and penalties under this section remit the damages and penalties before the commencement of a legal action.

(G) (1) A written notice sent by the operator of a store or other mercantile establishment to an individual as provided in subsection (F) must be sent by certified mail and must state substantially as follows:

`(Date of Mailing), 19_____

__________(Name)___________________

_________(Address)_________________

__________(City)___________________

This letter is written notice of demand for payment of damages in the amount of ________(amount of damages)_____ arising out of your shoplifting of the following personal property owned by _____(the undersigned or other owner):

____(list of property)______

____________________________

____________________________

Pursuant to Section 15-75-40, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, this letter is further notice that if the amount stated above is not paid, or a written agreement as to its payment is not reached within thirty days of the date of mailing this letter, (I) (we) (other owner) intend to bring a legal action against you for the amount, plus attorney's fees, court costs, and other relief provided by law.

__________(Name)__________________

___________(Address of____________

___________business)______________

____________(City)________________

(person sending notice)'

(2) The date of mailing of the notice provided by this subsection is the later of the date of mailing stated in the notice or the date on the certified mail receipt when the notice was delivered to the U. S. Mail.

(H) In an action brought under subsection (D) of this section, the court shall consider in the interest of justice mitigating circumstances that bear directly upon the actions of the parent or legal guardian in supervising the unemancipated minor who committed the shoplifting.

(I) An action for recovery of damages and penalties under this section may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(J) The provisions of this section may not be construed to prohibit or limit any other cause of action which an operator of a store or other retail mercantile establishment may have against a person who unlawfully takes merchandise from the establishment.

(K) Testimony or statements of the defendant or unemancipated minor child of the defendant or any evidence derived from an attempt to reach a civil settlement or from a civil proceeding brought under this section is inadmissible in any other court proceeding related to the shoplifting."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 1992, and applies to acts committed after June 30, 1992.