2018 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 46 - Agriculture
CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS; OFFENSES
Section 46-1-75. Damage or destruction of farm product, research facility, or research equipment unlawful; penalty; definitions.
(A) It is unlawful to maliciously damage or destroy a farm product, research facility, or research equipment used for testing or research in conjunction or coordination with a private research entity, a university, or any federal, state, or local governmental agency.
(B) If a person violates subsection (A) and the value of the farm product, research facility, or research equipment is:
(1) less than five hundred dollars, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both;
(2) five hundred dollars or more, the person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(C) The court may order the defendant to make restitution for the damage or destruction caused. For the purpose of ordering restitution, the court shall determine the market value of the farm product, research facility, or research equipment prior to the damage or destruction and, in so doing, shall include the cost of production, research, testing, replacement, and product development directly related to the product damaged or destroyed.
(D) The offenses and penalties provided in this section are supplemental and in addition to all other offenses and penalties provided by law.
(E) For purposes of this section:
(1) "Farm product" means horticultural, aquacultural, viticultural, forestry, floricultural, dairy, livestock, poultry, bee, and other products ordinarily produced on farms.
(2) "Research facility" means greenhouses, buildings, and offices in which farm product research is conducted.
(3) "Research equipment" means files, data, computers, tractors, sprayers, seeders, tools, vehicles, plants, containers, and any other item pertinent to farm product research.
HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 232, Section 1, eff May 1, 2002.
