South Carolina General Assembly
125th Session, 2023-2024

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H. 3533

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Rep. Thigpen
Document Path: LC-0097AHB23.docx

Introduced in the House on January 10, 2023
Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary

Summary: Citizen's arrest

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date Body Action Description with journal page number
12/15/2022 House Prefiled
12/15/2022 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary
1/10/2023 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 201)
1/10/2023 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary (House Journal-page 201)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

12/15/2022



A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 17-13-20, relating to CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN CITIZENS MAY ARREST, so as to LIMIT THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A CITIZEN MAY ARREST, INCLUDING TAKING THE LIFE OF THE PERSON, TO ARREST OF A PERSON WHO HAS ENTERED A DWELLING HOUSE WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PERMISSION.

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

SECTION 1.   Section 17-13-20 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   Section 17-13-20.   A citizen may arrest a person in the nighttime by efficient means as the darkness and the probability of escape render necessary, even if the life of the person should be taken, when the person:

   (a) has committed a felony;

   (b) has entered a dwelling house without express or implied permission;

   (c) has broken or is breaking into an outhouse with a view to plunder;

   (d) has in his possession stolen property; or

   (e) being under circumstances which raise just suspicion of his design to steal or to commit some felony, flees when he is hailed.

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

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This web page was last updated on May 28, 2024 at 12:53 PM