(A) If a municipal judge finds a party guilty of violating a municipal ordinance or a state law within the jurisdiction of the court, he may impose a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days, or both. In addition, a municipal judge may order restitution in an amount not to exceed the civil jurisdictional amount of magistrates court provided in Section 22-3-10(2). In determining the amount of restitution, the judge shall determine and itemize the actual amount of damage or loss in the order. In addition, the judge may set an appropriate payment schedule.
(B) A municipal judge may hold a party in contempt for failure to pay the restitution ordered if the judge finds the party has the ability to pay. In addition, a municipal judge may convert any unpaid restitution, fines, costs, fees, surcharges, and assessments to a civil judgment as provided in Section 17-25-323(C).
HISTORY: 1980 Act No. 480, eff January 1, 1981; 1993 Act No. 171, Section 2, eff July 1, 1993, and applicable to all offenses occurring after this date; 1999 Act No. 78, Section 1, eff June 11, 1999; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 23, eff June 2, 2010; 2013 Act No. 82, Section 5, eff June 13, 2013.
Editor's Note
This section contains provisions dealing with matters formerly dealt with by Section 14-25-50.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Section 14-25-25. Eligibility for judgeship; vacancy in office and temporary absence.
Section 14-25-35. Appointment and duties of clerk of court.
Section 14-25-45. Powers, duties, and jurisdiction of municipal courts.
Section 14-25-55. Powers and duties of chief of police and police officers.
Section 14-25-65. Maximum penalties that court may impose; restitution; contempt.
Section 14-25-75. Judge may suspend sentences.
Section 14-25-85. Disposition of fines and penalties.
Section 14-25-95. Appeals to Court of Common Pleas; procedures and time limits.
Section 14-25-115. Appointment of ministerial recorder; powers and duties.
Section 14-25-125. Demand for jury trial; composition of jury.
Section 14-25-135. Jury commissioners.
Section 14-25-145. Commissioners to prepare jury box.
Section 14-25-155. Composition of jury list.
Section 14-25-165. Drawing and composing juries; single trials; trial terms; peremptory challenges.
Section 14-25-170. Drawing and summoning jurors by computer.
Section 14-25-175. Disposition of names drawn.
Section 14-25-180. Essential service to business excuse.
Section 14-25-185. Failure of juror to appear.
Section 14-25-195. Right to record proceedings.
Section 14-25-205. Consolidated political subdivisions.
Section 14-25-250. Municipal judges shall report disposition of each criminal case.
Section 14-25-810. Authority of recorders to suspend sentences.