The bill H. 3037 seeks to amend Section 17-13-20 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which outlines the circumstances under which a citizen may make an arrest. The proposed changes specifically limit the conditions under which a citizen can arrest another individual, particularly emphasizing the act of taking a person's life. The new language stipulates that a citizen may only arrest someone who has entered a dwelling house without express or implied permission, thereby narrowing the scope of permissible citizen arrests.

In addition to this limitation, the bill retains other existing conditions under which a citizen may arrest, such as when a felony has been committed or when someone is in possession of stolen property. The bill aims to clarify and restrict the use of citizen's arrest powers to enhance public safety and reduce potential misuse of such authority. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 17-13-20
Latest Version: 17-13-20
12/06/2024: 17-13-20