Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

April 15, 2026

 

H. 3597

 

Introduced by Reps. Robbins, T. Moore, Pope, W. Newton, C. Mitchell and Calhoon

 

S. Printed 4/15/26--H.

Read the first time January 14, 2025

 

________

 

The committee on House Judiciary

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3597) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 17-25-65, relating to the reduction of a sentence for substantial assistance to the State, so as to, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

W. NEWTON for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

 

State Expenditure

This bill relates to the filing of a motion to reduce a defendant's sentence for substantial assistance to the state. Currently, within one year of a defendant's sentencing, upon a motion by the state, the court may reduce a defendant's sentence if he provided substantial assistance in investigating or prosecuting another person or provided aid to a correctional employee or volunteer who was in danger of being seriously injured or killed. The circuit solicitor in the county where the defendant's case arose must file such motion.

This bill provides that before the motion may be filed, the appropriate law enforcement agency or warden of the correctional facility must verify to the solicitor that such assistance was provided by the defendant. The solicitor must then notify the law enforcement agency responsible for the defendant's arrest that a motion to reduce his sentence has been filed and that the agency may be present at all hearings on the motion. Further, this bill requires the circuit judge assigned to hear such motions to conduct a hearing on the record, verify that a reasonable attempt was made to notify any victims, and place findings of fact in a written order. This bill also specifies that a defendant sentenced to a mandatory minimum may be eligible for a reduction in his sentence below the mandatory minimum at the discretion of the judge.

This bill may impact the workload of the court system, CPC, CID, Corrections, and PPP. Judicial anticipates the responsibilities of this bill can be managed within the normal course of business. CPC, CID, Corrections, and PPP anticipate being able to manage any additional responsibilities due to this bill within existing appropriations. However, Judicial indicates that if this bill results in a significant increase in workload, Judicial may request an additional General Fund appropriation.

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-25-65, RELATING TO THE REDUCTION OF A SENTENCE FOR SUBSTANTIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE STATE, SO AS TO REQUIRE NOTICE TO THE ARRESTING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND ANY VICTIMS, TO REQUIRE A HEARING WITH FINDINGS OF FACT IN A WRITTEN ORDER, TO REQUIRE VERIFICATION OF SUBSTANTIAL ASSISTANCE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OR THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, AND TO ALLOW REDUCTION OF MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES IN THE DISCRETION OF THE JUDGE.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 17-25-65 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 17-25-65.  (A) Upon the state's motion made within one year of sentencing, the court may reduce a sentence if the defendant, after sentencing, provided:

       (1) substantial assistance in investigating or prosecuting another person; or

       (2) aid to a Department of Corrections employee or volunteer who was in danger of being seriously injured or killed.

    (B) Upon the state's motion made more than one year after sentencing, the court may reduce a sentence if the defendant's substantial assistance involved:

       (1) information not known to the defendant until one year or more after sentencing;

       (2) information provided by the defendant to the State within one year of sentencing, but which did not become useful to the State until more than one year after sentencing;

       (3) information, the usefulness of which could not reasonably have been anticipated by the defendant until more than one year after sentencing, and which was promptly provided to the State after its usefulness was reasonably apparent to the defendant; or

       (4) aid to a Department of Corrections employee or volunteer who was in danger of being seriously injured or killed.

    (C) A motion made pursuant to this provision shallsection must be filed by that circuit solicitor in the county where the defendant's case arose. Before the motion may be filed, the appropriate law enforcement agency or warden of the correctional facility must verify to the circuit solicitor that the defendant provided substantial assistance to the State as set forth in subsections (A) and (B). Upon filing of such motion, the circuit solicitor shall notify the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest of the defendant and any victims that a motion to reduce a defendant's sentence pursuant to the provisions of this section has been filed along with the right to be heard, date, time, and location of all hearings on the motion. The State shall send a copy to the chief judge of the circuit within five days of filing. The chief judge or a circuit court judge currently assigned to that county shall have jurisdiction to hear and resolve the motion. Jurisdiction to resolve the motion is not limited to the original sentencing judge. The circuit judge assigned to hear the motion shall conduct a hearing on the record and:

       (1) verify the provisions of this section have been met and that a reasonable attempt was made by the State to notify any victims; and

       (2) make findings of fact supporting the relief requested and place those findings in a written order.

    (D) A defendant sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence is eligible for a reduction in his sentence below the mandatory minimum in the discretion of the judge.

 

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

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