The bill S. 71 aims to enhance penalties for individuals convicted of offenses against law enforcement officers while they are performing their official duties. It introduces a new section, 16-3-607, to the South Carolina Code of Laws, which stipulates that if a person is convicted of an offense defined in Section 16-3-600 and the offense was committed against a law enforcement officer, they may face an additional imprisonment of up to five years. This additional sentence can be imposed to run either consecutively or concurrently with the original sentence, and it cannot be suspended or subject to probation.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that the enhanced penalty can only be applied if the indictment includes a separate count indicating that the offense was committed against a law enforcement officer acting in their official capacity, and the conviction must be based on this specific count. The bill is set to take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 16-3-607, 16-3-600
Latest Version: 16-3-607, 16-3-600