S.C. Code Ann. § 16-25-20 – Acts prohibited

(A) It is unlawful to:
1. (1) cause physical harm or injury to a person's own household member; or
2. (2) offer or attempt to cause physical harm or injury to a person's own household member with apparent present ability under circumstances reasonably creating fear of imminent peril.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who violates subsection (A) is guilty of the misdemeanor of criminal domestic violence and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. The court may suspend the imposition or execution of all or part of the sentence conditioned upon the offender completing, to the satisfaction of the court, a program designed to treat batterers.
(C) A person who violates subsection (A) and who has been convicted of a violation of that subsection or of Section 16-25-65 within the previous ten years is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars and imprisoned not more than thirty days. The court may suspend the imposition or execution of all or part of the sentence conditioned upon the offender completing, to the satisfaction of the court, a program designed to treat batterers.
(D) A person who violates subsection (A) after previously having been convicted of two violations of subsection (A) within the previous ten years or two violations of Section 16-25-65 within the previous ten years or a violation of subsection (A) and a violation of Section 16-25-65 within the previous ten years is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than ninety days but not more than three years. The court may suspend the imposition or execution of all or part of the sentence, except the mandatory ninety-day minimum sentence, and place the offender on probation conditioned upon the offender completing, to the satisfaction of the court, a program designed to treat batterers.
(E) A person who violates the terms and conditions of an order of protection issued in this State under Chapter 4, Title 20, the "Protection from Domestic Abuse Act", or a valid protection order related to domestic or family violence issued by a court of another state, tribe, or territory is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than thirty days and fined not more than five hundred dollars. The court may suspend the imposition or execution of all or part of the sentence conditioned upon the offender completing, to the satisfaction of the court, a program designed to treat batterers.
A person convicted of a violation of subsection (A) and this subsection must not be sentenced under both sections for the same offense. A person convicted of a violation of Section 16-25-65 and this subsection for the same offense must be imprisoned for not more than ten years as provided for in Section 16-25-65.
(F) Unless the complaint is voluntarily dismissed or the charge is dropped prior to the scheduled trial date, a person charged with a violation provided in this chapter must appear before a judge for disposition of the case.
(G) When a person is convicted of a violation of Section 16-25-65 or sentenced pursuant to subsection (D), the court may suspend execution of all or part of the sentence, except for the mandatory minimum sentence, and place the offender on probation, conditioned upon:
1. (1) the offender completing, to the satisfaction of the court, a program designed to treat batterers;
2. (2) fulfillment of all the obligations arising under court order pursuant to this section and Section 16-25-65; and
3. (3) other reasonable terms and conditions of probation as the court may determine necessary to ensure the protection of the victim.
(H) In determining whether or not to suspend the imposition or execution of all or part of a sentence as provided in this section, the court must consider the nature and severity of the offense, the number of times the offender has repeated the offense, and the best interests and safety of the victim.
An offender who participates in a batterer treatment program pursuant to this section, must participate in a program offered through a government agency, nonprofit organization, or private provider approved by the Department of Social Services. The offender must pay a reasonable fee for participation in the treatment program but no person may be denied treatment due to inability to pay. If the offender suffers from a substance abuse problem, the judge may order, or the batterer treatment program may refer, the offender to supplemental treatment coordinated through the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services with the local alcohol and drug treatment authorities pursuant to Section 61-12-20. The offender must pay a reasonable fee for participation in the substance abuse treatment program, but no person may be denied treatment due to inability to pay.