Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:4474 Primary Sponsor:Snow Committee Number:25 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Civil actions, attorneys' fees Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Computer Document Number:GJK/20219SD.94 Introduced Date:19940112 Last History Body:House Last History Date:19940112 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Snow Law Riser Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved ____ ______ ____________ ______________________________ ___ ____________ 4474 House 19940112 Introduced, read first time, 25 referred to CommitteeView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 15-37-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS SHALL BE TAXED AGAINST A NONPREVAILING PARTY BRINGING A CIVIL ACTION SEEKING DAMAGES FOR INJURIES HE SUSTAINED DURING THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME FOR WHICH HE WAS CONVICTED OR TO WHICH HE PLED GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDRE AND TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON REFERRED TO ABOVE WHO HAS NOT PAID SUCH ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS IS PROHIBITED FROM BRINGING ANY FURTHER ACTIONS IN THE COURTS OF THIS STATE ARISING OUT OF THAT INCIDENT OR OCCURRENCE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 15-37-25. (A) Any person bringing a civil action seeking damages for injuries he sustained during the commission of a crime for which he was convicted or to which he pled guilty or nolo contendre must pay the attorneys' fees and costs of the prevailing party in an amount determined by the court if he is the nonprevailing party.
(B) Any person against whom attorneys' fees and costs have been taxed pursuant to subsection (A) who has not paid such fees and costs is prohibited from bringing any further actions in the courts of this State arising out of that incident or occurrence."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.