South Carolina § 16-7-10 - Illegal acts during state of emergency.

§ 16-7-10. Illegal acts during state of emergency.

(A) In any area designated by the Governor in his proclamation that a state of emergency exists, and during the duration of the proclamation, it is unlawful for a person to:

(1)(a) violate a provision in the proclamation including, but not limited to, any curfew set forth by the proclamation;

(b) congregate, unless authorized or in their homes, in groups of three or more and to refuse to disperse upon order of a law enforcement officer; or

(c) wilfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any law enforcement officer.

A person violating the provisions of this item is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

(2)(a) enter into the property of another, without lawful authority and with criminal intent;

(b) damage the property of another; or

(c) take possession or otherwise disturb the property of another in any manner.

A person violating a provision of this item is guilty of the felony of looting and, upon conviction, must be fined or imprisoned, or both, in the discretion of the court. The court must order restitution pursuant to Section 17-25-322;

(3) charge unconscionable prices during a declared state of emergency or disaster, as described in Section 39-5-145, or knowingly and wilfully use a misleading practice or device to solicit the contribution or sale of goods or services for charitable purposes in connection with a declared state of emergency or disaster, as described in Section 39-5-147.

(B) Penalties provided in this article are cumulative of and in addition to those provided in Sections 39-5-145 and 39-5-147.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 16-171; 1968 (55) 2741; 2002 Act No. 339, SECTION 8, eff July 2, 2002.

Editor's Note

2002 Act No. 393, SECTION 45, provides as follows:

"This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor, and applies to offenses committed after its effective date and to causes of action arising or accruing on or after the effective date."