Under Federal law, a felony is described as any crime whose punishment exceeds 1 year in prison. Some states, like South Carolina, have their own criminal laws and punishment that stray from federal definitions. In South Carolina, felony offenses are broken down into 6 categories, ranging from Class A to Class F.
This article will discuss each felony category in South Carolina as well as examples of crimes under each category, along with their punishments.
Class A
Class A felonies are considered to be the most severe of all the classes, and are punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Punishment can be increased if the defendant is also found guilty of one or more misdemeanors in conjunction with the felony, or if they are a repeat offender.
Examples of Class A felonies are:
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated Assault
- Attempted Murder
- Voluntary Manslaughter
Class B
Class B felonies are punishable with prison time up to 25 years, and includes charges such as:
- Arson
- Second Degree Assault
- Mob Violence
- Detonating a Destructive Device or Causing an Explosion
Class C
Class C felonies are punishable with jail time up to 20 years, and includes charges such as:
- Child Abuse/Neglect
- Aiding in the Death of a Child
- Attempted Armed Robbery
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
- Carjacking
Class D
Class D felonies are punishable with jail time up to 15 years, and includes charges such as:
- Third Degree Arson
- Second Degree Burglary
- Assisting Another Person in Committing Suicide
- Manufacturing or Distributing Methamphetamine
Class E
Class E felonies are punishable with jail time up to 10 years, and includes charges such as:
- Election Bribery
- Reckless Homicide
- First Degree Sexual Misconduct
Class F
Class F felonies are punishable with jail time up to 5 years, and includes charges such as:
- Stalking
- Sale of Counterfeit Cigarettes
- Threatening the Life of a Public Official
Exempted Felonies
The state of South Carolina also identifies some felonies as “exempted” felonies. These felonies are typically more severe and carry their own potential punishments, which can range from heavy fines, life imprisonment, or the death penalty. Some examples of exempted felonies are:
- Murder
- Incest
- Aggravated Robbery
- First Degree Burglary
- Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
In addition to complex criminal law guidelines, South Carolina is also one of the few states that has no statute of limitations, which means that prosecutors can file criminal charges against you at any time—regardless of how long it has been since the alleged crime took place.
Contact Us!
If you or someone you know has been charged or accused of a felony in the state of South Carolina, seek legal counsel immediately. The Greg McCollum Defense Team is experienced in providing aggressive South Carolina criminal defense. Give us a call at (843) 627-4025 today to find out how we can help you.
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