S.C. Code Ann. § 17-30-125 – On-scene orders to cut or divert telephone lines; grounds; good faith reliance as defense

(A) The supervising agent of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division or the supervising law enforcement officer of a political subdivision of this State at the scene of an incident where there is reasonable cause to believe:
1. (1) involves immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person or the danger of escape of a prisoner;
2. (2) that a person is holding one or more hostages;
3. (3) that there is the probability that a subject about to be arrested will resist with the use of weapons; or
4. (4) that a person has barricaded himself and is armed and is threatening suicide;
  may order law enforcement or telephone company personnel to cut, reroute, or divert telephone lines solely for the purpose of preventing telephone communications between the suspect and any person other than a law enforcement officer or the law enforcement officer's designee, if the cutting, rerouting, or diverting of telephone lines is technically feasible and can be performed without endangering the lives of telephone company or other utility personnel.
(B) The good faith reliance by a telephone company on an oral or written order to cut, reroute, divert, or intercept telephone lines given by a supervising law enforcement officer under subsection (A) constitutes a complete defense to any civil, criminal, or administrative action arising out of the order.