The bill H. 3146 proposes an amendment to the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 17-25-40, which allows defendants convicted of certain violent crimes to seek limitations on public access to their sentencing information during hearings. Specifically, defendants can request that information related to their arrest, charges, and criminal history records be kept confidential. If the court grants this request, it is required to seal the defendant's public record, making it unavailable to the public.

The court is tasked with balancing the public's interest in accessing criminal history information against the potential harm to the defendant's privacy when considering such requests. Additionally, the court must provide written findings of fact regarding its decision and specify when the order will take effect. This legislation aims to enhance privacy protections for defendants while still considering the public's right to information.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 17-25-40
Latest Version: 17-25-40