Bill > S0202

This bill amends South Carolina law to enhance penalties for willfully destroying or tampering with physical evidence or biological material, specifically in cases where a death results from a drug overdose. Under the current law, individuals who intentionally bury, destroy, alter, conceal, or tamper with evidence can be charged with a misdemeanor and face fines up to $1,000 for a first offense, and up to $5,000 or one year in prison for subsequent offenses. The proposed amendment adds a new provision that if the evidence destruction is connected to a fatal drug overdose, the offender can be fined up to $7,500 or imprisoned for up to three years, or both. This change aims to create a more serious legal consequence for those who interfere with potential evidence in drug-related death investigations. The bill will take effect upon approval by the Governor, and it maintains that existing legal proceedings and rights will not be affected by this amendment.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0202&session=126&summary=B