South Carolina Laws

Are Autopsy Reports Public in South Carolina? (2026)

South Carolina autopsy reports are not public records. They are restricted to legal next of kin. Learn who can request a coroner or autopsy report, the fee, and how.

Common Law Marriage in South Carolina: Is It Recognized? (2026)

South Carolina abolished new common law marriages on July 24, 2019, in Stone v. Thompson. Pre-2019 CLMs remain valid but require clear and convincing proof. Learn the rules.

How Long Is a Life Sentence in South Carolina? (2026 Guide)

Complete guide to life sentences in South Carolina: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.

How to Find a Cause of Death in South Carolina (2026)

Learn how to find someone's cause of death in South Carolina, where it is recorded, whether it is public, and who can request the death certificate.

How to Get a South Carolina Death Certificate (2026)

Get a South Carolina death certificate from the SC DPH Office of Vital Records: $12 first copy, $3 per extra. See who is eligible and how to order.

South Carolina AI Laws and Regulation (2026)

Guide to South Carolina AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.

South Carolina AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)

Learn how South Carolina consent laws apply to AI meeting recorders. One-party consent rules, penalties, and compliance.

South Carolina Alimony Laws: Types, Fault, and Permanent Alimony (2026)

South Carolina still allows permanent periodic alimony under S.C. Code 20-3-130. Learn the five types, the adultery bar, the 90-day cohabitation rule, and the 13 factors courts use.

South Carolina At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights

Is South Carolina an at-will state? Yes. Learn the public-policy and implied-contract exceptions, right-to-work status, and federal protections that still apply.

South Carolina Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026)

South Carolina audio recording laws allow one-party consent under S.C. Code 17-30-30. Learn the rules for recording conversations, penalties for violations, and key exceptions.

South Carolina Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)

South Carolina background check laws: Ban the Box, lookback periods, Clean Slate, employer and housing checks.

South Carolina Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)

South Carolina has no standalone biometric privacy law. Learn about breach notification under SC Code 39-1-90, the Insurance Data Security Act, and pending legislation.

South Carolina Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim

South Carolina is an at-fault state with modified comparative negligence (51% bar), 25/50/25 minimum insurance, mandatory UM coverage, and a 3-year injury SOL.

South Carolina Car Seat Laws: Requirements and Guidelines

Learn about South Carolina's car seat laws: age and weight requirements, rear-facing rules, booster seat guidelines, and penalties for violations.

South Carolina Child Custody Laws: 17 Best-Interests Factors and Your Rights

South Carolina custody uses 17 statutory best-interests factors under S.C. Code 63-15-240. No joint-custody presumption. Learn the rules, relocation factor, and modification standard.

South Carolina Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator

South Carolina child support uses the Income Shares Model. 2024 guidelines raised amounts 25%, expanded income cap to $40k/mo. Learn calculation, modification, and enforcement rules.

South Carolina Dashcam Laws: Mounting Rules, Audio Recording, and Evidence (2026)

South Carolina Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)

South Carolina requires data breach notification without unreasonable delay under S.C. Code 39-1-90. Learn about the private right of action, $1,000 per-resident fines, and CRA reporting at 1,000+.

South Carolina Data Privacy Laws: Breach Notification & Consumer Rights (2026)

South Carolina data privacy laws explained. Covers the breach notification statute (S.C. Code 39-1-90), Insurance Data Security Act, FIFITPA, and federal protections.

South Carolina Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One

South Carolina is a closed-record state: only immediate family or a legal representative can buy a certified death certificate until records open to the public after 50 years.

South Carolina Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)

South Carolina enacted H 3058 in May 2025, criminalizing nonconsensual intimate deepfakes (NCII) under S.C. Code ss. 16-15-330 to 16-15-332. Learn the penalties, civil remedies, and gaps in SC deepfake law.

South Carolina Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)

South Carolina defamation laws: a 2-year deadline to sue under S.C. Code 15-3-550, no anti-SLAPP statute, per se categories, damages, and how to file.

South Carolina Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process

South Carolina divorce laws: the only no-fault route is 1 year of separation in separate residences. Learn residency rules, fault grounds, equitable distribution, and filing steps.

South Carolina Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights

Learn South Carolina dog bite laws under S.C. Code 47-3-110, including strict liability rules, damages, defenses, and the 3-year filing deadline.

South Carolina Emancipation Laws: How Minors Become Emancipated in South Carolina (2026)

South Carolina has no general emancipation statute. Learn how SC minors become emancipated through marriage, military service, or a Family Court order, and what rights apply under South Carolina law.

South Carolina Expungement Laws: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

South Carolina expungement under S.C. Code § 17-22-910 covers first-offense misdemeanors, PTI completions, conditional discharge, and certain drug convictions. Learn waiting periods, fees, and how to apply.

South Carolina GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)

South Carolina has no GPS tracker statute. See how the harassment law (S.C. Code 16-3-1700) treats car trackers, the PI exemption, and the penalties.

South Carolina Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

Learn South Carolina hit and run laws, penalties from misdemeanor to 25-year felony, driver duties, insurance claims, and how to protect your rights.

South Carolina Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026): Deposits, Notice, and Tenant Rights

South Carolina has no security deposit cap and requires return within 30 days. Learn entry notice rules, limited repair-and-deduct rights, and more.

South Carolina Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Rights for Renters and Landlords (2026)

South Carolina landlord-tenant recording laws allow tenants to record conversations with landlords under one-party consent. Learn the rules for surveillance, hidden cameras, and rental disputes.

South Carolina Laws on Recording in Public: Your Rights Explained (2026)

South Carolina allows recording in public spaces under the First Amendment with no permit required. Learn the rules for filming in public, photography rights, and when restrictions apply.

South Carolina Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Limits (2026)

You can legally record police officers in South Carolina in public spaces. Learn your First Amendment rights, body camera laws, and what to do if police tell you to stop recording.

South Carolina Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify & Get a Refund

South Carolina lemon law covers new vehicles with 3 repair attempts or 30 days out of service in 12 months/12,000 miles. Learn remedies, the usage deduction formula, and how to file.

South Carolina Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights, HIPAA, and Consent (2026)

Learn South Carolina medical recording laws. Patients can record doctor visits under one-party consent (§ 17-30-30). Covers HIPAA, telehealth, facility policies, and evidence use.

South Carolina Medical Records Retention Laws (2026 Guide)

South Carolina medical records retention laws: how long hospitals and doctors keep your records, HIPAA rules, and patient rights.

South Carolina Phone Call Recording Laws: Consent Rules for Calls (2026)

South Carolina allows recording phone calls with one-party consent under S.C. Code 17-30-30. Learn the rules for personal calls, business calls, interstate calls, and VoIP recordings.

South Carolina Power of Attorney Laws: Durable, Medical, and Financial POA (2026)

South Carolina adopted the UPOAA effective Jan 1, 2017 (S.C. Code 62-8-101 to 62-8-403). Financial POAs are durable by default; execution requires 2 witnesses + notary acknowledgment; agents must record the POA with the register of deeds before acting during the principal's incapacity. Health care POA is separate under 62-5-501 et seq.

South Carolina Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules

South Carolina is a one-party consent state under § 17-30-30(C). Illegal recording is a felony; civil victims can sue for at least $25,000. Updated 2026.

South Carolina Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protective Order

How to get an Order of Protection in South Carolina: who qualifies, dating relationships not covered, temporary vs. final order length, free filing, and violation penalties.

South Carolina Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026

Learn South Carolina Ring doorbell laws, including one-party consent rules, video surveillance limits, HOA regulations, and penalties for illegal recording.

South Carolina School Recording Laws: Student, Parent, and Teacher Rights (2026)

South Carolina Security Camera Laws: Home, Business, and HOA Rules (2026)

South Carolina security camera laws allow surveillance on your own property with restrictions on private areas and audio. Learn the rules for home cameras, business CCTV, neighbor disputes, and HOAs.

South Carolina Self-Defense Laws: Stand Your Ground & Castle Doctrine (2026)

South Carolina stand-your-ground and castle doctrine explained. S.C. Code 16-11-440(C) removes duty to retreat; 16-11-440(A) creates presumption of reasonable fear for home, residence, and vehicle intrusions. Criminal and civil immunity under 16-11-450.

South Carolina Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties

Learn about South Carolina sexting laws, including felony sexual exploitation charges, the Family Court safety valve for minors, the 2025 revenge porn law, and AI deepfake provisions.

South Carolina Slip and Fall Laws: Proving Premises Liability

South Carolina slip and fall laws explained: open-and-obvious bars claims, modified-51 negligence, 3-year SOL, no ice/snow rule, and government claim deadlines.

South Carolina Smart Glasses Recording Laws 2026

South Carolina is a one-party consent state. You can record conversations you participate in with smart glasses under S.C. Code § 17-30-30(C). Learn the rules, penalties, and limits.

South Carolina Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession Laws (2026)

South Carolina requires 10 years of adverse possession to claim property under S.C. Code Ann. §§ 15-67-210 to 15-67-260. Learn the elements, removal process, and 2026 updates.

South Carolina Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type

South Carolina statute of limitations for civil and criminal cases. Filing deadlines for personal injury, contracts, medical malpractice, and more.

South Carolina Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)

South Carolina surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.

South Carolina Video Recording Laws: Where You Can and Cannot Record (2026)

South Carolina video recording laws permit filming in public spaces but restrict recording in private areas. Learn the rules for video surveillance, voyeurism penalties, and consent requirements.

South Carolina Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Peeping, and Penalties (2026)

South Carolina voyeurism laws under S.C. Code 16-17-470 prohibit peeping and hidden camera recording. Learn the penalties, the 2025 intimate images law, and how to protect yourself.

South Carolina Whistleblower Laws: Protections and How to Report

South Carolina whistleblower laws protect public employees who report fraud and wrongdoing. Learn your rights, filing deadlines, and available remedies.

South Carolina Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits

South Carolina window tint law: 27% VLT minimum on front windows for all vehicles. SUVs may use any darkness on rear windows. Red, yellow, amber tint banned.

South Carolina Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)

South Carolina windshield mounting laws: restrictions, penalties, and exemptions. Complete guide.

South Carolina Workers' Compensation Laws: Benefits, Deadlines, and Your Rights

South Carolina workers' comp requires 4+ employees. Learn wage rates, the 90-day report deadline, 2-year claim limit, and who directs your medical care.

South Carolina Workplace Recording Laws: Employee and Employer Rights (2026)

South Carolina workplace recording laws allow employees to record conversations they participate in under one-party consent. Learn employer surveillance rules, NLRA protections, and policy limits.