South Carolina Sex Offender Laws

A South Carolina sex offender is an individual, at least 17 of age, who has been convicted of a sex-related crime. According to the laws of the state, South Carolina sex offenders are convicted of such crimes as criminal sexual conduct in the first degree (paragraph 16-3-652); other types of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree (paragraph 16-3-653); criminal sexual conduct with minors, which is a first-degree offense (paragraph 16-3-655 (1)); sexual conduct with minors that is classfied as being of a criminal nature and is also considered to be a second degree crime (paragraph 16-3-655(2) and (3)); engaging a child for sexual performance (paragraph 16-3-810); any acts of producing, directing, or promoting sexual performance by a child (paragraph 16-3-820); or kidnapping (paragraph 16-3-910).

Laws Regarding Sex Offender Registration In South Carolina

If an adult or juvenile is convicted under South Carolina law of any sexual crimes that require registration, he or she must also register with the county sheriff. This must be completed within one business day of his or her release from the court. An offender should also register his or her name with the county sheriff within one business day of sentencing and within ten days of entering the state, changing addresses, or moving out of the state. Juveniles who are not being confined to a juvenile justice authority should register their names with the county sheriff under South Carolina sex offender law within ten days.

South Carolina sex offender law also applies for out-of-state offenders as well. To obtain detailed information about the South Carolina sex offender registry laws, visit http://services.sled.sc.gov/sor/about.aspx. The names of offenders are registered with the county sheriff for life, and offenders are required to register their names with the county sheriff annually. If a sex offender's address is changing, he or she should inform the county sheriff within ten days of the change. It is the duty of the county sheriff to verify the residential address of the sex offender on an annual basis.

Additional Penalties for Non-Compliance

Penalties are imposed on offenders convicted of committing crimes under South Carolina sex offender laws and failing to comply with the rules regarding registration. There are three types of penalties that are imposed on the offender for non-compliance with the rules. The first type of penalty for non-compliance results in a compulsory prison sentence for ninety days. The second kind of penalty results in an obligatory jail sentence for a year, and the third kind of penalty is a felony that results in a sentence of one to five years in jail. In addition to this, the third sort of penalty, for an unavoidable felony, would result in a prison sentence of three years without probation or suspension.

All information recorded in the sex offender registry of South Carolina is open to public viewing at the website of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. This information is available at http://www.sled.sc.gov/. Those who wish to obtain more details can request them in writing, but must include their own names as well as the name and address of the offender whose information is sought. Under the South Carolina sex offender laws, as many as 11,470 cases have been registered as of May 26th, 2009.