Some people believe that they can live whatever type of sex life they want when they become adults. For those who live in South Carolina or choose to visit this state, knowing that there are some forbidden sexual activities might help them to stay out of legal trouble.
Typically, authorities are not going to be concerned much with what happens in the privacy of someone’s home. Most of the time, they will not know what goes on unless they are told. For this reason, many of the sex-related laws in the state focus on public acts; nevertheless, there are a few private acts that can lead to issues. Here are a few to be aware of:
- Sodomy is illegal in South Carolina. It is a felony that comes with a fine of at least $500 and up to five years in prison.
- Prostitution, indecent exposure, and public exposure of private areas are all misdemeanors. It doesn’t matter if any of these are consensual; they are still illegal. (Note: One act that is specifically allowed in these laws is breastfeeding, so nursing mothers don’t have to worry about facing criminal charges for feeding their babies.)
- Intentionally exposing someone to AIDS is a felony in South Carolina. The fine for a conviction is up to $5,000, and the prison term is up to 10 years. There are also terms for court-ordered HIV testing if the victim requests it and if there are certain other conditions, such as the transmission of bodily fluids.
If you are facing any of these charges, make sure that you take your rights seriously. This and working with your attorney on a defense strategy are important when it comes to sex-related criminal charges.
