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South Carolina Domestic Violence Law

South Carolina Domestic Violence Defense

What you're facing under 16-25-20, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to South Carolina (SC) domestic violence law.

Offense Class

Misdemeanor (first/second/third degree); Felony (second degree with prior + first degree)

Maximum Penalty

30 days (third degree); 3 years (second degree); 10 years (first degree)

Maximum Fine

$2,500 (third degree); $5,000 (second degree); none (first degree)

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Federal Firearms Prohibition (Lautenberg Amendment)

A conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence in South Carolina carries a federalfirearms-possession ban under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). This consequence is collateral to South Carolina state penalties and applies regardless of the state sentence imposed.

Penalty Range in South Carolina

Statute16-25-20 — Domestic Violence — First Through Fourth Degree
Minimum Penalty
Maximum Penalty30 days (third degree); 3 years (second degree); 10 years (first degree)
Maximum Fine$2,500 (third degree); $5,000 (second degree); none (first degree)

Charge Enhancements

These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in South Carolina:

  • Prior DV conviction within 10 years (escalates degree)
  • Violation of protective order (second degree)
  • Great bodily injury or weapon use (first degree — felony)
  • Third conviction of third-degree DV within 10 years elevates to second degree

South Carolina-Specific Detail

SC overhauled its DV laws in 2015 (Act 58). Four-degree system mirrors the A&B scheme. First offense third degree is a misdemeanor but repeat offenses escalate. Strangulation is automatically first degree. Mandatory arrest policy. Protective order violations are second degree.

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Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about South Carolina domestic violence law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.