South Carolina § 16-13-380 - Theft of electric current.

§ 16-13-380. Theft of electric current.

Any person who (a) has no contract, agreement, license, or permission with or from any person authorized to manufacture, sell, or use electricity for the purpose of light, heat, or power or with or from any authorized agent of the person for the use of electrical current belonging to or produced or furnished by the person and (b) wilfully withdraws or causes to be withdrawn in any manner and appropriate for his own use or for the use of any other person the current from the wires of the person authorized to manufacture, sell, or use electricity is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding thirty days. For a second or subsequent offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. Any person who shall aid, abet, or assist the person in the withdrawing and appropriating of the current from the wires to or for the use of the other person or to or for the use of any other person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished in like manner.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 24-451; 1952 Code SECTION 24-451; 1942 Code SECTION 1155; 1932 Code SECTION 1155; Cr. C. '22 SECTION 49; Cr. C. '12 SECTION 199; 1904 (24) 409; 1929 (36) 50; 1996 Act No. 369, SECTION 1.