A person commits a criminal offense (crime) if they intentionally flee from a person they know or should know is a peace officer or federal special investigator attempting to lawfully arrest or detain them. A person will be subject to higher penalties if they use a motor vehicle or watercraft while evading arrest or detention, or cause injury to another person. This criminal offense is also known as “fleeing and eluding.”
In South Carolina, fleeing from law enforcement is considered a criminal offense under state law. This offense, often referred to as 'fleeing and eluding,' occurs when an individual intentionally escapes from a person they know, or reasonably should know, is a peace officer or federal special investigator who is attempting to lawfully arrest or detain them. The penalties for this crime can be more severe if the individual uses a motor vehicle or watercraft to flee, or if their actions result in injury to another person. The specific charges and penalties can vary based on the circumstances of the evasion, the presence of aggravating factors, and the degree of risk or harm caused by the individual's actions. South Carolina law enforcement takes this offense seriously, and it can lead to significant legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and a criminal record.