Bill > H3523

This bill amends South Carolina's retail theft law to create a more comprehensive framework for addressing organized retail crime. The bill defines "organized retail crime" as two or more people conspiring to steal retail property with the intent to sell or exchange it for gain. It establishes a graduated penalty structure based on the value of stolen property, with increasingly severe consequences for higher-value thefts. For first-time offenders, penalties range from misdemeanor charges with up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine for thefts valued between $2,000 and $10,000, to felony charges with up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine for thefts exceeding $50,000. Repeat offenders face more serious felony charges regardless of the theft value. The bill also introduces a new offense of "organized retail crime of an aggravated nature" for cases involving significant property damage (over $2,000) or causing bodily injury to another person. Additionally, the law allows for aggregating multiple theft incidents within a 90-day period into a single count and permits prosecution in any county where related criminal acts occurred. The bill aims to provide law enforcement and prosecutors with more robust tools to combat organized retail theft and protect businesses from coordinated criminal activities.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3523&session=126&summary=B