The bill H. 3523 aims to amend Section 16-13-135 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which currently addresses retail theft. The proposed changes introduce the definitions of "organized retail crime" and "organized retail crime of an aggravated nature," replacing the previous offense of retail theft. The bill establishes a graduated penalty structure for these offenses, with specific penalties based on the value of the stolen retail property. For instance, a first offense involving property valued over $2,000 but less than $10,000 would be classified as a misdemeanor, while higher values would result in felony charges with increasing fines and imprisonment terms.

Additionally, the bill outlines that organized retail crime is a lesser-included offense of organized retail crime of an aggravated nature, which includes actions that cause significant property damage or bodily injury. The penalties for aggravated offenses are more severe, with fines up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to 15 years. The bill also clarifies that multiple offenses within a 90-day period can be aggregated for prosecution, and it ensures that the amendments do not affect any pending legal actions or liabilities. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 16-13-135
02/06/2025: 16-13-135
Latest Version: 16-13-135