Memo on Civil Asset Forfeiture in South Carolina

In December 2021, the South Carolina Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) began its examination of civil asset forfeiture in the state. Due to the time-sensitive nature of this concern, the Committee has deemed it appropriate to issue an interim memo to the Commission. There is currently a bill in the South Carolina General Assembly to address this topic, and the legislative session is slated to end in May. The Committee would like to draw the Commission’s attention to this concern before the Assembly adjourns. The Committee has held three virtual briefings on the topic, and may hear additional testimony before issuing its final report to the Commission.