South Carolina § 16-3-1510 - Definitions.

§ 16-3-1510. Definitions.

For the purpose of this article:

(1) "Victim" means any individual who suffers direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm as the result of the commission or attempted commission of a criminal offense, as defined in this section. "Victim" also includes any individual's spouse, parent, child, or the lawful representative of a victim who is:

(a) deceased;

(b) a minor;

(c) incompetent; or

(d) physically or psychologically incapacitated.

"Victim" does not include any individual who is the subject of an investigation for, who is charged with, or who has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to the offense in question. "Victim" also does not include any individual, including a spouse, parent, child, or lawful representative, who is acting on behalf of the suspect, juvenile offender, or defendant unless his actions are required by law. "Victim" also does not include any individual who was imprisoned or engaged in an illegal act at the time of the offense.

(2) "Individual" means a human being.

(3) "Criminal offense" means an offense against the person of an individual when physical or psychological harm occurs, or the property of an individual when the value of the property stolen or destroyed, or the cost of the damage to the property is in excess of one thousand dollars. This includes both common law and statutory offenses, the offenses contained in Sections 16-25-20, 16-25-30, 16-25-50, 56-5-1210, 56-5-2910, 56-5-2920, 56-5-2930, 56-5-2945, and the common law offense of attempt, punishable pursuant to Section 16-1-80. However, "criminal offense" specifically excludes the drawing or uttering of a fraudulent check or an offense contained in Title 56 that does not involve personal injury or death.

For purposes of this article, a victim of any misdemeanor or felony under state law must be notified of or provided with the information required by this section. The terms "crime", "criminal conduct", "charge", or any variation of these terms as used in this article mean all misdemeanors and felonies under state law except the crimes the General Assembly specifically excludes from the notification provisions contained in this article.

(4) "Witness" means a person who has been or is expected to be summoned to testify for either the prosecution or the defense or who by reason of having relevant information is subject to be called or likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution or defense for criminal offenses defined in this section, whether or not any action or proceeding has been commenced.

(5) "Prosecuting agency" means the solicitor, Attorney General, special prosecutor, or any person or entity charged with the prosecution of a criminal case in general sessions or family court.

(6) "Summary court" means magistrate or municipal court.

(7) "Initial offense incident report" means a uniform traffic accident report or a standardized incident report form completed at the time of the initial law enforcement response. "Initial offense incident report" does not include supplementary reports, investigative notes or reports, statements, letters, memos, other communications, measurements, sketches, or diagrams not included in the initial offense incident report, or any material that may be considered the work product of a law enforcement officer or witness.

(8) "In writing" means any written communication, including electronically transmitted data.

HISTORY: 1984 Act No. 418, SECTION 1; 1997 Act No. 141, SECTION 3; 1998 Act No. 343, SECTION 1A.