The bill S. 159 aims to amend Section 16-13-135 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which currently addresses retail theft and its associated penalties. The proposed changes introduce the offenses of "organized retail crime" and "organized retail crime of an aggravated nature," establishing a graduated penalty structure based on the value of the stolen retail property. The definitions of key terms such as "organized retail crime," "retail property," and "theft" are revised to clarify the scope of the offenses. The bill outlines specific penalties for first and subsequent offenses, with fines and imprisonment terms varying according to the value of the stolen property.

Additionally, the bill specifies that acts committed in different counties can be aggregated for prosecution in any one of those counties, and it allows for the forfeiture of property acquired through violations of this section. The offense of organized retail crime of an aggravated nature includes additional penalties for causing property damage or bodily injury during the commission of the crime. The bill will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
01/14/2025: 16-13-135
02/19/2025: 16-13-135
02/25/2025: 16-13-135
Latest Version: 16-13-135