Bill > H3599

This bill amends South Carolina state law regarding the transfer of criminal cases from General Sessions Court by expanding the eligibility criteria for case transfers. Currently, criminal cases where the potential penalty does not exceed one year of imprisonment can be transferred, but this bill would increase that threshold to cases where the potential penalty does not exceed three years of imprisonment. The change allows more criminal cases to be potentially transferred from General Sessions Court, which typically handles more serious criminal matters, to another court venue. The bill maintains the existing monetary threshold of five thousand five hundred dollars and provides that the potential for transfer applies both to the original charges and to charges modified through a plea agreement. The amendment to Section 22-3-545(A) of the South Carolina Code is straightforward and will take effect upon approval by the Governor, potentially providing more flexibility in case management within the state's judicial system.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3599&session=126&summary=B