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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
AMENDED
April 10, 2001
S. 481
S. Printed 4/10/01--S. [SEC 4/11/01 3:55 PM]
Read the first time March 22, 2001.
TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1700, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS OF "HARASSMENT", SO AS TO INCLUDE WRITTEN OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION; TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1710, RELATING TO PENALTIES UPON CONVICTION FOR HARASSMENT WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OF A PRIOR CONVICTION OF HARASSMENT OR STALKING, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE LANGUAGE OF THE SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1720, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES UPON CONVICTION FOR STALKING, SO AS TO INCREASE THE LENGTH OF MANDATORY IMPRISONMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1730, RELATING TO PENALTIES UPON CONVICTION OF AGGRAVATED STALKING, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY; TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1750, RELATING TO AN ACTION SEEKING A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST A PERSON ENGAGED IN HARASSMENT OR STALKING, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT, WHEN A RESTRAINING ORDER IS ISSUED AS A CONDITION OF BOND, A COPY OF THE RESTRAINING ORDER MUST BE SENT BY THE COURT TO THE VICTIM; TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1770, RELATING TO FORM AND CONTENT OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER GRANTED WITHOUT NOTICE MUST BE ENTERED OF RECORD WITH THE MAGISTRATES COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1790, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SERVICE OF CERTIFIED COPIES OF RESTRAINING ORDERS, SO AS TO ALLOW SERVICE TO BE MADE BY MAIL RETURN RECEIPT TO DEFENDANT'S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1840, RELATING TO A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION AS A CONDITION OF BAIL, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT THE EVALUATION BE MADE BEFORE BAIL IS SET; AND FURTHER TO REQUIRE THAT THE EVALUATION BE SCHEDULED WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE ORDER'S ISSUANCE, THAT THE REPORT BE ISSUED WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT HOURS OF EVALUATION, AND THAT THE SOLICITOR ARRANGE FOR A BOND HEARING UPON RECEIPT OF THE REPORT BEFORE A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE.
Amend Title To Conform
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 17, Chapter 3, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
Section 16-3-1700. As used in this article:
(A) 'Harassment' means a pattern of intentional, substantial, and unreasonable intrusion into the private life of a targeted person that causes the person, and would cause a reasonable person in his position, to suffer mental distress. Harassment may include, but is not limited to:
(1) following the targeted person as he moves from location to location;
(2) visual, physical, or verbal contact, or written or electronic communication that is initiated, maintained, or repeated after a person has been provided notice that the contact is unwanted;
(3) surveillance of or the maintenance of a presence near the targeted person's:
(a) residence;
(b) place of work;
(c) school; or
(d) another place regularly occupied by the targeted person; and
(4) vandalism and property damage.
Harassment does not include words or conduct that is protected by the Constitution of this State or the United States, and does not apply to law enforcement officers or process servers performing their official duties.
(B) 'Stalking' means a pattern of words or conduct that is intended to cause and does cause a targeted person, and would cause a reasonable person in the targeted person's position, to fear:
(1) death of the person or a member of his family;
(2) assault upon the person or a member of his family;
(3) bodily injury to the person or a member of his family;
(4) criminal sexual contact on the person or a member of his family;
(5) kidnapping of the person or a member of his family; or
(6) damage to the property of the person or a member of his family.
Stalking does not include words or conduct that is protected by the Constitution of this State or the United States and does not apply to law enforcement officers or process servers performing their official duties.
(C) 'Aggravated stalking' means stalking accompanied or followed by an act of violence.
(D) 'Pattern' means two or more acts within a ninety-day period.
(E) 'Family' means a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or a person who regularly resides in the same household as the targeted person.
Section 16-3-1710. (A) A person who engages in harassment is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars, imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
(B) A person convicted of harassment against a person within seven years of a prior conviction of harassment against or stalking of that person, or when an injunction or restraining order is in effect prohibiting this conduct, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than one year, or both if:
(1) the person has a prior conviction of harassing or stalking; or
(2) at the time of the harassment or stalking, an injunction or restraining order was in effect prohibiting the harassment or stalking.
(C) In addition to the penalties provided in this section, a person convicted of harassment who received licensing or registration information pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 56 and used the information in furtherance of the commission of the offense under this section must be fined two hundred dollars or imprisoned thirty days, or both.
Section 16-3-1720. (A) A person who engages in stalking is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than one year three years, or both.
(B) A person who engages in stalking when an injunction or restraining order is in effect prohibiting this conduct is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than two three years, or both.
(C) A person who engages in stalking a person within seven years of and who has a prior conviction of harassment against harassing or stalking of that a person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(D) In addition to the penalties provided in this section, a person convicted of stalking who received licensing or registration information pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 56 and used the information in furtherance of the commission of the offense under this section must be fined one thousand dollars or imprisoned one year, or both.
Section 16-3-1730. (A) A person who engages in aggravated stalking is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(B) A person who engages in aggravated stalking when an injunction or restraining order is in effect prohibiting this conduct is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than seven thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
(C) A person who engages in aggravated stalking of a person within seven years of and who has a prior conviction of harassment against harassing or stalking of that a person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than fifteen years, or both.
Section 16-3-1740. Before sentencing a person convicted of stalking, the court may require the person to undergo a mental health evaluation. If the court determines from the results of the evaluation that the person needs mental health treatment or counseling, the court shall require him to undergo mental health treatment or counseling by a court-approved mental health professional, mental health facility, or facility operated by the State Department of Mental Health as a part of his sentence.
Section 16-3-1750. (A) Under this article, the magistrate's magistrates courts shall have jurisdiction over an action seeking a restraining order against a person engaged in harassment or stalking.
(B) An action for a restraining order must be filed in the county in which:
(1) the defendant resides when the action commences;
(2) the harassment or stalking occurred; or
(3) the plaintiff resides if the defendant is a nonresident of the State or cannot be found.
(C) A complaint and motion for a restraining order may be filed by any person. The complaint must:
(1) allege that the defendant is engaged in harassment or stalking and must state the time, place, and manner of the acts complained of, and other facts and circumstances upon which relief is sought;
(2) be verified; and
(3) inform the defendant of his right to retain counsel to represent him at the hearing on the complaint.
(D) The magistrate's Magistrates courts shall must provide forms to facilitate the preparation and filing of a complaint and motion for a restraining order by a plaintiff not represented by counsel. The court also shall must provide forms to facilitate the preparation and filing of motions and affidavits to proceed in forma pauperis. Upon the issuance of a restraining order as a condition of bond for the arrest of the defendant for any crime, the court shall issue a written copy of the restraining order to the victim in person or by mail within twenty-four hours of the bond hearing. A restraining order issued as a condition of bond has the same effect as any restraining order issued under the provisions of this section.
(E) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a restraining order or a temporary restraining order issued pursuant to this article shall be enforceable throughout this State.
Section 16-3-1760. (A) Within twenty-four hours after the filing of a complaint and motion seeking a restraining order under Section 16-3-1750, the court, for good cause shown, may hold an emergency hearing and, if the plaintiff proves his allegation by a preponderance of the evidence, may issue a temporary restraining order without giving the defendant notice of the motion for the order. A prima facie showing of immediate and present danger of bodily injury, verified by supporting affidavits, constitutes good cause.
(B) A temporary restraining order granted without notice must be served upon the defendant together with a copy of the complaint and a Rule to Show Cause why the order should not be extended for the full six-month period. The Rule to Show Cause shall must provide the date and time of the hearing for the Rule to Show Cause. The defendant must be served within five days before the hearing in the same manner required for service in circuit court.
(C) In cases not provided in subsection (A) of this provision, the court shall cause a copy of the complaint and motion to be served upon the defendant at least five days before the hearing in the same manner required for service in circuit court.
(D) The court shall must hold a hearing on a motion for a restraining order within fifteen days of the filing of a complaint and motion, but not sooner than five days after service has been perfected upon the defendant.
Section 16-3-1770. (A) A temporary restraining order granted without notice must be endorsed with the date and hour of issuance and entered of record with the magistrate's magistrates court.
(B) The terms of the restraining order shall must protect the plaintiff and may include temporarily enjoining the defendant from:
(1) abusing, threatening to abuse, or molesting the plaintiff or members of the plaintiff's family;
(2) entering or attempting to enter the plaintiff's place of residence, employment, education, or other location; and
(3) communicating or attempting to communicate with the plaintiff in a way that would violate the provisions of this article.
(C) A restraining order issued pursuant to this article conspicuously shall must bear the following language: 'Violation of this order is a criminal offense punishable by thirty days in jail, a fine of five hundred dollars, or both'.
Section 16-3-1780. (A) A temporary restraining order shall remain remains in effect until the hearing on the Rule to Show Cause why the order should not be extended for the full six-month period. The temporary restraining order must be for a fixed period in accordance with subsection (B) of this provision if the court finds the defendant in default at the hearing.
(B) In cases not provided for in subsection (A) of this provision, a restraining order must be for a fixed period not to exceed six months, but may be extended by court order on a motion by the plaintiff, showing good cause, with notice to the defendant. The defendant is entitled to a hearing on the extension of an order issued pursuant to this subsection within thirty days of the date upon which the order will expire.
(C) Notwithstanding subsection (B) of this provision, the provisions included in a restraining order granting relief pursuant to Section 16-3-1770 dissolve six months following the issuance of the order unless, prior to the expiration of this period, the court has charged the defendant with the crime of harassment or stalking and has scheduled a date for trial on the charge. If the trial has been scheduled, relief granted pursuant to Section 16-3-1770 shall remain remains in effect beyond the six-month period only until the conclusion of the trial.
(D) The court may modify the terms of an order issued pursuant to this section.
Section 16-3-1790. The magistrate' courts A magistrates court shall must serve the defendant with a certified copy of an order issued pursuant to this article and provide a copy to the plaintiff and to the local law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction over the area where the plaintiff resides. Service must be made without charge to the plaintiff. After reasonable attempts to locate the defendant have failed, service of the defendant must be made by mail return receipt requested to the defendant's last known address. The receipt return must be filed with the magistrates court. A copy must also be mailed to the plaintiff.
Section 16-3-1800. Law enforcement officers shall must arrest a defendant who is acting in violation of a restraining order after service and notice of the order have been provided. An arrest warrant is not required.
Section 16-3-1810. (A) The primary responsibility of a law enforcement officer when responding to a harassment or stalking incident is to enforce the law and protect the complainant.
(B) The law enforcement officer shall must notify the complainant of the right to initiate criminal proceedings and to seek a restraining order.
Section 16-3-1820. A person who reports an alleged harassment or stalking, files a criminal complaint, files a complaint for a restraining order, or who participates in a judicial proceeding under this article and who is acting in good faith is immune from criminal and civil liability that might otherwise result from these actions. A rebuttable presumption exists that the person was acting in good faith.
Section 16-3-1830. A proceeding commenced under this article is in addition to other civil and criminal remedies.
Section 16-3-1840. As a condition of Prior to setting bail, a magistrate or a municipal judge may order a defendant charged with harassment or stalking under this article to undergo a mental health evaluation performed by the local mental health department. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine if the defendant poses a threat to the victim or possesses a mental abnormality which requires immediate commitment or additional treatment as a condition of bond. The evaluation must be scheduled within ten days of the order's issuance. Once the evaluation is completed, the examiner must, within forty-eight hours, issue a report to the local solicitor's office. Upon receipt of the report, the solicitor must arrange for a bond hearing before a circuit court judge. For purposes of this section, 'mental abnormality' means a mental condition affecting a person's emotional or volitional capacity that predisposes the person to commit an offense against another person."
SECTION 2. Section 16-1-60 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 16-1-60. For purposes of definition under definition under South Carolina law, a violent crime includes the offenses of murder (Section 16-3-10); criminal sexual conduct in the first and second degree (Sections 16-3-652 and 16-3-653); criminal sexual conduct with minors, first and second degree (Section 16-3-655); assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, first and second degree (Section 16-3-656); assault and battery with intent to kill (Section 16-3-620); kidnapping (Section 16-3-910); voluntary manslaughter (Section 16-3-50); armed robbery (Section 16-11-330(A)); attempted armed robbery (Section 16-11-330(B)); carjacking (Section 16-3-1075); drug trafficking, as defined in Sections 44-53-370(e) and 44-53-375(C); arson in the first degree (Section 16-11-110(A)); arson in the second degree (Section 16-11-110(B)); burglary in the first degree (Section 16-11-311); burglary in the second degree (Section 16-11-312(B)); engaging a child for a sexual performance (Section 16-3-810); homicide by child abuse (Section 16-3-85(A)(1)); aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse (Section 16-3-85(A)(2)); criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (Section 16-25-65); accessory before the fact to commit any of the above offenses (Section 16-1-40); and attempt to commit any of the above offenses (Section 16-1-80). Only those offenses specifically enumerated in this section are considered violent offenses."
SECTION 3. Section 16-17-430 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 16-17-430. (A) It is unlawful for a person to:
(1) use in a telephonic communication any words or language of a profane, vulgar, lewd, lascivious, or an indecent nature, or to threaten in a telephonic communication any unlawful act with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass another person, or to communicate or convey by telephone an obscene, vulgar, indecent, profane, suggestive, or immoral message to another person;
(2) telephone another repeatedly, whether or not conversation ensues, for the purpose of annoying or harassing another person or his family;
(3) make a telephone call and intentionally fail to hang up or disengage the connection for the purpose of interfering with the telephone service of another;
(4) telephone another and make false statements concerning either the death or injury of a member of the family of the person who is telephoned with the intent to annoy, frighten, or terrify that person; or
(5) knowingly permit a telephone under his control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section.
(B)(1) A person who violates items (1), (2), or (4) of subsection (A) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years.
(2) A person who violates items (3) or (5) of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not ore than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
It is unlawful for a person, in a telephonic or an electronic communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass another person, to:
(1) use words or language of a profane, vulgar, lewd, lascivious, or an indecent nature; or
(2) threaten an unlawful act.
(B) It is unlawful for a person, by telephone, computer, or other electronic device, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass another person, to communicate or convey to another person a message, which is obscene, vulgar, indecent, profane, suggestive, or immoral.
(C) It is unlawful for a person to repeatedly telephone, or repeatedly send e-mail or other forms of electronic communication to another person, whether conversation or communication ensues, for the purpose of annoying or harassing that person or that person's family.
(D) It is unlawful for a person to telephone or send e-mail or other forms of electronic communication to another person and:
(1) make statements concerning the death or injury of a member of that person's family with the intent to annoy, frighten, or terrify that person; or
(2) intentionally fail to hang up or otherwise disengage the connection for the purpose of interfering with that person's telephone, computer, e-mail, or other electronic service.
(E) It is unlawful for the owner or a person in control of a telephone, computer, or other electronic device to knowingly permit another person to use that device for any purpose prohibited by this section.
(F)(1) A person who violates subsection (A), (B), (C), or (D)(1) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years.
(2) A person who violates subsection (D)(2) or (E) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days."
SECTION 4. The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent, civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release, or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision expressly so provides. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.
SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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