2017 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 23 - Law Enforcement and Public Safety
CHAPTER 50 - SOUTH CAROLINA CRIMESTOPPERS ACT
Section 23-50-35. Repayment of reward by defendant; reimbursement from forfeited funds.

(A) After a defendant has been convicted of a criminal offense or as a condition of placing a person on probation, or both, the judge of any court of applicable jurisdiction may order a defendant to repay all or part of a reward, not to exceed two thousand dollars, paid by a crimestoppers organization or the council.

In determining whether the defendant must repay the reward or part of the reward, the court shall consider:

(1) the ability of the defendant to make the payment and the financial hardship on the defendant to make the required payment; and

(2) the importance of the information to the prosecution of the defendant as provided by the arresting officer or the attorney for the State with due regard for the confidentiality of the crimestoppers organization records.

(B) Monies paid by a crimestoppers organization or the council for information that results in the arrest of any individual or individuals where monies are also confiscated and subsequently forfeited pursuant to Section 44-53-520 must be reimbursed from the forfeited monies to the crimestoppers organization making the payment or to the council upon a determination that the money paid was used for information that resulted in the arrest and forfeiture. If the forfeiture is the result of:

(1) a court proceeding, the determination that the money paid was used for information that resulted in the arrest and forfeiture must be made by the presiding judge;

(2) an agreement, the determination that the money paid was used for information that resulted in the arrest and forfeiture must be made by the Attorney General or his designee.

(C) Reimbursements must be for the amount paid, not to exceed two thousand dollars.

(D) Reimbursements to the council or to a crimestoppers organization are subordinate to payments that may be ordered to be paid to victims of crimes as restitution.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 380, Section 1, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on June 14, 2006).