CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Summerville · Moncks Corner · Goose Creek · Charleston

How much jail time can I get? That’s what most people want to know when charged with an offense.

In this article you’ll find the jail time, the statute and class for non-drug related charges in South Carolina.

Let’s get started.

A criminal statute usually list prison times in terms of a range or maximum penalty and often times a charge can be suspended to a probationary sentence.

But some cannot.

Let’s take burglary in the 1st degree for example.

It cannot be suspended, it carries 15 years to life and it has a mandatory minimum of 15 years. And, the offender would have to serve 85% before being eligible for community supervision.

Parole eligibility and community supervision is another topic that will come.

Because so many people ask, I’ve included a summary of the most common non-drug charges below that may be helpful to you. For drug offenses, see South Carolina Drug offenses and penalties.

Keep in mind, statutes change all the time, but this should be fairly accurate.  The South Carolina Criminal Statutes are linked to the state’s website.

South Carolina Criminal Offenses and Penalties

* Classification is: V = Violent, S = Serious, MS = Most Serious

CHARGEPenalty RangeCDRStatuteClass*
ABHANUp to 20 yrs341116-3-600(B)V S
Armed Robbery10-30 yrs013916-11-330V MS
Arson 1st30+ yrs255016-11-110(A)V MS
Arson 2nd3-25 yrs255116-11-110 (B)V S
Arson 3rdUp to 15 yrs000816-11-110 (C)
Assault and Battery 1st DegreeUp to 10 yrs341216-3-600(C)
Assault and Battery 2nd DegreeUp to 3 yrs and/or $2500341316-3-600(D)
Assault and Battery 3rd DegreeUp to 30 days and/or $500341416-3-600(E)
Assault upon a Correctional Employee6 mths to 5 yrs – Consecutive252516-3-630
Assault w/ intent to Commit CSC – 1st Degree10 – 30 Yrs025316-3-656V MS
Assault w/ intent to Commit CSC – 2nd DegreeUp to 20 yrs025416-3-656V MS
Assault w/ intent to Commit CSC – 3rd DegreeUp to 10 yrs025516-3-656
Attempted MurderUp to 30 yrs341016-3-29V MS
AWIKUp to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine0768Common-Law
Breach of PeaceUp to 30 days and/or up to $500089122-3-560
Breach of Trust <=2000Up to 30 days and/or up to $1000342216-13-230(B)(1)
Breach of Trust >2000 <10,000Up to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine342316-13-230(B)(2)
Breach of Trust >=10,000Up to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine342416-13-230(B)(3)S
Breaking into a Motor VehicleUp to 5 yrs and/or $1000 fine025816-13-160
Burglary 1st15 yrs to Life007916-11-311V MS
Burglary 2nd (Non-Violent)Up to 10 yrs008016-11-312(a)
Burglary 2nd (Violent)Up to 15 yrs008616-11-312(b)V S
Burglary 3rdUp to 5 yrs042716-11-313
Carjacking w/o InjuryUp to 20 yrs259916-3-1075(B)(1)V MS
Carrying a Concealed Weapon (not a pistol)30 to 90 days or $200 to $500 fine004316-23-460
Domestic Violence 1st degreeUp to 10 years381116-25-20(B)S
Domestic Violence 2nd degreeUp to 3 years and/or $2500 – $5000381216-25-20(C)
Domestic Violence 3rd DegreeUp to 90 days and/or $1000 – $2500381316-25-20(D)
Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature (DVHAN)Up to 20 years381416-25-65V S
Child Endangerment (w/ motor vehicle)Up to ½ the maximum sentence for the substantive offense239556-5-2947
Contraband (County/Municipal)Up to 10 yrs and/or $1000 -$10,000 fine (magistrate has juris if not drugs or weapons)043724-7-155
Contraband (SCDC)Up to 10 yrs and/or $1000 -$10,000 fine (magistrate has juris if not drugs or weapons)007424-3-950
Contributing to Delinquency of a MinorUp to 3 yrs and/or up to $3000 fine004816-17-490
CSC 1stUp to 30 yrs –016016-3-652V MS
CSC 2ndUp to 20 yrs016116-3-653V MS
CSC 3rdUp to 10 yrs016216-3-654
CSC w/ Minor 1st (v < 11)25 to Life (no susp or probation)038516-3-655V MS
CSC w/Minor 2nd (v>14<16)Up to 20 yrs039716-3-655V MS
CSC w/Minor 2nd (v>11<14)Up to 20 yrs039616-3-655V MS~
Defrauding an InnkeeperUp to 6 mths and/or $1000 fine (MAG CT)027345-1-50
DUI/Felony DUI, Death results1 year-25 yrs & $10100-$25100 fine039556-5-2945(A)(2)S
DUI/Felony DUI, Great bodily injury results30 days-15 yrs & $5100-$10100 fine040656-5-2945(A)(1)
DUI, < .10, 1st48 hrs-30days or 48 hrs PSE or $400 fine335356-5-2930(A)(1)
DUI, < .10, 2nd5 days-1yr & $2100-$5100 fine / ≥ $1,100335656-5-2930(A)(2)
DUI, < .10, 3rd60 days-3 yrs & $3800-$6300 fine335956-5-2930(A)(3)
DUI, < .10, 4th or Subsequent1yr-5yrs336356-5-2930(A)(4)
DUI, .10. – .16, 1st72 hrs-30 days or 72 hrs PSE or $500 fine335456-5-2930(A)(1)
DUI, .10 – .16, 2nd30 days-2yrs & $2500-$5500 fine/ ≥ $1,100335756-5-2930(A)(2)
DUI, .10. – .16, 3rd90 days-4yrs & $5000-$7500 fine336156-5-2930(A)(3)
DUI, .10. – .16, 4th or Subsequent2yrs-6yrs336456-5-2930(A)(4)
DUI, ≥ .16, 1st30 days-90 days or 30 days PSE or $1000 fine335556-5-2930(A)(1)
DUI, ≥ .16, 2nd90 days-3 yrs & $3500-$6500 fine / ≥ $1,100335856-5-2930(A)(2)
DUI, ≥ .16, 3rd6mths-5yrs & $7500-$10000 fine336256-5-2930(A)(3)
DUI, ≥ .16, 4th or Subsequent3yrs-7yrs336556-5-2930(A)(4)
DUS (DUI-related) – 1st10 – 30 days and/or $300 fine205456-1-460
DUS (DUI-related) – 2nd60 days to 6 mths and/or $600205556-1-460
DUS (DUI-related) – 3rd or Subsequent6 mths to 3 yrs and $1000095656-1-460
DUS (non-DUI) – 1st30 days and/or $300 fine062456-1-460
DUS (non-DUI) – 2nd60 (consecutive) days and/or $600 fine017456-1-460
DUS (non-DUI) – 3rd or Subsequent90 days to 6 mths and $1000 fine or 90 days to 6 mths Home detention (no suspention)017556-1-460
Enticing Child from Attending SchoolUp to 2 yrs and/or $1000 fine075016-17-510
Escape (Attempt)Up to 15 yrs – Consecutive252724-13-410
Escape (Common Law)Up to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine2570
Escape (Statutory)1 to 15 yrs – Consecutive311324-13-410
Escape (from Work Release)1 to 15 yrs – Consecutive314324-3-50 / 24-13-410
Exploitation of a Vulnerable AdultUp to 5 yrs and/or up to $5000 fine265743-35-85
Failure to Register as Sex Offender – 1st offenseUp to 30 days and/or up to $500260623-3-470(B)(1)
Failure to Register as Sex Offender – 2nd offense1 yr mandatory (no suspension or probation)260723-3-470(B)(2)
Failure to Register as Sex Offender-3rd or Subsequent Offense5yrs (of those 3 yrs w/ no suspension or probation)243523-3-470(B)(3)
Failure to Return Rented Objects <= 2000Up to 30 days or $1000 fine052016-13-420
Failure to Return Rented Objects >2000 <10,000Up to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine052216-13-420
Failure to Return Rented Objects >10,000Up to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine052116-13-420
Financial Identity FraudUp to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine281316-13-510
Forgery (no dollar amount)Up to 3 yrs and/or a discretionary fine (MAG CT)048816-13-10
Forgery <10,000Up to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine242716-13-10(B)(2)
Forgery >=10,000Up to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine049116-13-10(B)(1)
Fraudulent Check >1000 – 1st offenseUp to 2 yrs and/or $300 to $1000 fine080034-11-60
FTC ForgeryUp to 5 yrs and/or $3000 to $5000 fine004116-14-40
FTC Fraud (500 or less in 6 months)Up to 1 yr and/or up to $1000 fine073116-14-60
FTC Fraud (more than 500 in 6 months)Up to 5 yrs and/or $3000 to $5000 fine235116-14-60
FTC TheftUp to 5 yrs and/or $3000 to $5000 fine034816-14-20
FTSBL (no injury) (1st offense)90 days to 3 yrs or not less than $500006556-5-750
Grand Larceny >2000 <10,000Up to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine342016-13-30(B)(1)
Grand Larceny >=10,000Up to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine342116-13-30(B)(2)
Habitual Traffic OffenderUp to 5 yrs005756-1-1100
Ill-Treatment of AnimalsUp to 5 yrs and $5000 fine280447-1-40
Indecent ExposureUp to 3 yrs and/or discretionary fine009116-15-130
KidnappingUp to 30 yrs009516-3-910V MS
Leaving the scene of an Accident (great bodily injury)30 days to 10 yrs and $5000 to $10,000 fine246256-5-1210
Leaving the scene of an Accident (personal injury)30 days to 1 yr and/or $1000 to $5000 fine246156-5-1210
Leaving the scene of an Accident (property damage only)Up to 1 yr and/or $100 to $5000 fine246456-5-1220
Lewd Act Upon a ChildUp to 15 yrs and/or discretionary fine246816-15-140V
Malicious Injury to Personal Property <=2000Up to 30 days and/or up to $1000 fine341516-11-510(B)(3)
Malicious Injury to Personal Property >2000 <10,000Up to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine341616-11-510(B)(2)
Malicious Injury to Personal Property >=10,000Up to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine341716-11-510(B)(1)
Malicious Injury to Real Property <=2000Up to 30 days and/or up to $1000 fine342816-11-520(B)(3)
Malicious Injury to Real Property >2000 <10,000Up to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine343916-11-520(B)(2)
Malicious Injury to Real Property >=10,000Up to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine343016-11-520( B)(1)
Murder30 yrs to Life or Death penalty011616-3-10V MS
Obstruction of JusticeUp to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine0118
Obtaining Goods by False Pretenses <=2000Up to 30 days and/or up to $1000 fine118616-13-240(3)
Obtaining Goods by False Pretenses >2000 <10,000Up to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine053116-13-240(2)
Obtaining Goods by False Pretenses >10,000Up to 10 yrs and/or $500 fine042216-13-240(1)
Obtaining Non-Ferrous Metals Unlawfully <=2000Up to 30 days and/or up to $1000 fine16-11-523
Obtaining Non-Ferrous Metals Unlawfully >2000 <10,000Up to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine16-11-523
Obtaining Non-Ferrous Metals Unlawfully >=10,000Up to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine16-11-523
Petty Larceny (<=2000)Up to 30 days and/or up to $1000 fine341916-13-30
Pointing or Presenting a FirearmUp to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine012216-23-410
Possession of a Sawed off ShotgunUp to 10 yrs and/or up to $10000 fine031516-23-230
Possession of a Pistol by a Person convicted of a Violent Felony CrimeUp to 5 yrs or up to $200016-23-500
Possession of Pistol by Person Under 18Up to 5 yrs and/or up to $2000 fine236416-23-30
Possession of Stolen Vehicle <=2000Up to 30 days and/or up to $1000 fine124116-21-80
Possession of Stolen Vehicle >2000 <10,000Up to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine053816-21-80
Possession of Stolen Vehicle >=10,000Up to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine043016-21-80
Possession of Tools to be Used in CrimeUp to 5 yrs and/or discretionary fine012416-11-20
Public Disorderly ConductUp to 30 days or up to $100062216-17-530
Purse SnatchingUp to 3 yrs012916-13-150
Receiving Stolen Goods <=2000Up to 30 days and/or up to $1000 fine342516-13-180(B)(1)
Receiving Stolen Goods >2000 <10,000Up to 5 yrs or not less than $1000 fine342616-13-180(B)(2)
Receiving Stolen Goods >10,000Up to 10 yrs or not less than $2000 fine342716-13-180(B)(3)
Reckless DrivingUp to 30 days or $25 to $200 dollar fine065756-5-2920
Reckless HomicideUp to 10 yrs and/or $1000 to $5000 fine013556-5-2910
Resisting Arrest (A) (w/o assault)Up to 1 yr and/or $500 to 1000 fine032616-9-320(A)
Resisting Arrest (B) (assault, beat, wound)Up to 10 yrs and/or $1000 to 10000 fine025616-9-320(B)
Shoplifting <$2000Up to 30 days or up to $1000 fine052816-13-110
Strong Arm RobberyUp to 15 yrs0137Common-law, 16-11-325
Third or Subsequent Property OffenseUp to 10 yrs236716-1-57
Threatening the Life of a Public EmployeeUp to 30 days and/or up to $500 fine260516-3-1040(B)
Threatening the Life of a Public OfficialUp to 5 yrs and/or up to $5000 fine054116-3-1040(A)
Trespassing after NoticeUp to 30 days or up to $200 fine116716-11-620
Unlawful Carrying of a PistolUp to 1 yr and/or up to $1000 fine004416-23-20
Unlawful Conduct Towards a ChildUp to 10 yrs and/or discretionary fine248163-5-70
Unlawful Possession of a PistolUp to 5 yrs and/or up to $2000 fine236416-23-30
Unlawful Use of 911 ServiceUp to 6 mths and/or up to $200 fine129823-47-80
Use of Vehicle w/o Permission (intent to deprive)Up to 3 yrs075616-21-60
Use of Vehicle w/o Permission (temporary)Up to 1 yr and/or up to $500 fine022216-21-60
Use of Weapon during Assault/Murder etc.3 mths to 1 yr and/or at least $2500001016-3-610

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