The state of South Carolina protects its citizens from convicted sex offenders using its version of the Megan’s Law. According to the state’s sex offender law, persons convicted for a sexual offense must register with the local sheriff in their county of residence.
The local sheriff notifies the community whenever a sex offender gets out of jail or into probation. The aim of notifying the community is to alert them to the dangers posed by sex offenders living in their neighborhood.
The state modified its sex laws in 2008. The updated law prevents sex offenders from residing within 1000 feet near child care facilities.
South Carolina Sex Offender Registry
South Carolina’s Law Enforcement Division is in charge of managing the state’s sex offender registry. The registry provides real-time information on sex offenders living in South Carolina. You can find information on sex offenders living around your neighborhood on the registry’s website. You should contact your local sheriff if you find out that the information on a sex offender in the registry is incorrect.
South Carolina Sex Offender Facts
Facts
- There are 12,536 registered sex offenders in South Carolina
Top Offenses
- FAILURE TO REGISTER
- Contact Sheriffs Office
- CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH MINORS, 2ND DEGREE
- CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT IN THE 3RD DEGREE
- CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT IN THE 1ST DEGREE
Counties in South Carolina with the highest number of offenders:
- Richland County
- Greenville County
- Charleston County
- Spartanburg County
- Horry County
Zip Codes in South Carolina with the highest number of offenders:
- 29210
- 29405
- 29203
- 29730
- 29526
- 29406
- 29611
- 29303
- 29150
- 29483
Nearby States:
South Carolina Sex Crimes Requiring Offender Registration
Criminal sexual conduct (1st degree) - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3-652 (West 2008).
Criminal sexual conduct (2nd degree) - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3-653 (West 2008).
Criminal sexual conduct (3rd degree) - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3-654 (West 2008).
Criminal sexual conduct with minors (1st degree) - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3-655(1) (West 2008).
Criminal sexual conduct with minors (2nd degree) -However, if the offender was 18 years of age or less and the court specifically finds that the sexual conduct was consensual, or the consensual sexual conduct was between persons under 16 years of age, the convicted person shall not be required to register. - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3-655(3) (West 2008).
Engaging a child for sexual performance - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3-810 (West 2008).
Producing, directing, or promoting a sexual performance by a child - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3-820 (West 2008).
Assaults with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3-656 (West 2008).
Incest - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-15-20 (West 2008).
Buggery - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-15-120 (West 2008).
Committing or attempting lewd act upon a child under 16 - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-15-140 (West 2008).
Peeping, voyeurism, or aggravated voyeurism - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-17-470 (West 2008). Violations of Article 3, Chapter 15 of Title 16 involving a minor -
The kidnapping of a person 18 years of age or older except when the court finds on the record that the offense did not include a criminal sexual offense or attempted criminal sexual offense - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3- 910 (West 2008).
The kidnapping of a person under 18 years of age, except when the offense is committed by a parent - S.C.CODE ANN. § 16-3-910 (West 2008)
Criminal sexual conduct when the victim is a spouse - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3-658 (West 2008).
Sexual battery of a spouse - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-3-615 (West 2008).
Sexual intercourse with a patient or trainee - S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-23-1150 (West 2008).
Criminal solicitation of a minor if the purpose or intent of the solicitation or attempted solicitation was to:
Persuade, induce, entice, or coerce the person solicited to engage or participate in sexual activity - S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-15-375 (West 2008).
Perform a sexual activity in the presence of the person solicited - S.C. Code Ann. § 16-15-342 (West 2008).
Administering, distributing, dispensing, delivering, or aiding, abetting, attempting, or conspiring to administer, distribute, dispense, or deliver a controlled substance or gamma hydroxy butyrate to an individual with the intent to commit a crime listed in Section 44-53-370(f), except petit larceny or grand larceny - S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-53-370 (West 2008).
Information maintained in South Carolina Sex Offender Registry
SC. ST. § 23-3-440 (West 2008)
(1)
name
offender’s description
photograph
other information required by the State Law Enforcement Division
Community Notification and Websites
SC. ST. § 23-3-490 (West 2008)
(A) Information collected for the offender registry is open to public inspection, upon request to the county sheriff.
(c)The sheriff shall notify the principals of public and private schools and the administrator of child day care centers and family day care centers of any offender whose address is within one-half mile of the school or business.
(E) For purposes of this section, use of computerized or electronic transmission of data or other electronic or similar means is permitted.
Limitations on Residency or Employment
(South Carolina)
None
Duration of Registration
SC. ST. § 44-23-1150 (West 2008)
Sexual Misconduct with a patient, trainee or offender
(B) An actor is guilty of sexual misconduct when the actor, knowing that the victim is an inmate, offender, or patient voluntarily engages with the victim in the act of sexual intercourse, whether vaginal, oral, or anal, or another sexual contact for sexual gratification.
Actor includes individuals who supervise inmate labor details outside of an institution or who have supervisory responsibility for offenders on parole, probation, or other community supervision programs.
(A) As used in this section:
“Actor” means an employee, volunteer, agent, or contractor of a public entity that has statutory or Contractual responsibility for inmates or patients confined in a prison, jail, or mental health facility.
Actor includes individuals who supervise inmate labor details outside of an institution or who have supervisory responsibility for offenders on parole, probation, or other community supervision programs.
Timeframe for Registration
Within 24 hours of release; 10 days of sentencing to probation; 60 days of entering state; 10 days of changing the address
Applies to Offenders Convicted in another State?
Yes
Verification of Address
Offenders register annually with the county sheriff
Penalties for Non-Compliance
First 2 offenses felony, $1000 fine & mandatory 90-day sentence; third & subsequent offenses a felony, mandatory 1-5 year sentence, and may be fined $1000
What does a Sex Offender Look Like?
Most people think sexual predators are scary-looking and creepy. But three out of four adolescents who were sexually assaulted were victimized by someone they knew well.
Most of the time, sexual predators look like regular people. Children and parents need to know and to understand that anyone can be a sexual predator, no matter how "normal" they appear.
Encouraging Children to Share
It isn't always easy to build a trusting relationship with your child. Trying to get your children to share what is going on in their lives can be difficult.
Building an open and welcoming environment from the beginning stages of a child's life is essential. Children are less intimidated and more likely to discuss issues and topics in their lives with an open and supportive environment.
Getting your kids to share serves as a building block for times when your child needs to discuss pressing issues like sex and sexual abuse.
Free Parental eBook
KidsLiveSafe put together a comprehensive parents guide about sexual predators and keeping children safe. This free online eBook includes vital statistics, how to tell if a predator is victimizing a child, and social media and cyber-bullying.