S.C. Code Ann. § 17-13-50 – Right to be informed of ground of arrest; consequences of refusal to answer or false answer

(A) A person arrested by virtue of process or taken into custody by an officer in this State has a right to know from the officer who arrests or claims to detain him the true ground on which the arrest is made. It is unlawful for an officer to:
1. (1) refuse to answer a question relative to the reason for the arrest;
2. (2) answer the question untruly;
3. (3) assign to the person arrested an untrue reason for the arrest; or
4. (4) neglect on request to exhibit to the person arrested or any other person acting in his behalf the precept by virtue of which the arrest is made.
(B) An officer who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 17-255; 1952 Code Section 17-255; 1942 Code Section 993; 1932 Code Section 993; Cr. P. '22 Section 80; Cr. C. '12 Section 74; Cr. C. '02 Section 47; G. S. 2447; R. S. 46; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 53.