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South
Carolina Attorney General Declares "Open Season" on Home Invaders
January 24, 2001 Exact text from Attorney General's website: Condon Declares "Open Season" on
Home Invaders 1/24/2001
Says No Charges or Prosecution of Homeowners
Using Deadly Force
(Columbia, S.C.) Attorney General Charlie
Condon today announced that he is declaring "open season" on home
invaders. In a Memorandum to all Solicitors, Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Condon
directed that citizens acting to defend their homes will not be arrested,
charged or prosecuted. Condon said the policy was necessary in the wake of a
rash of recent home invasions in North Charleston and elsewhere throughout the
State. "As Chief Prosecutor of South Carolina, I
am today declaring open season on home invaders. That season is
year-round," Condon said. "Citizens protecting their homes who use
force even deadly force will be fully safeguarded under the law of this State
and subject to no arrest, charge or prosecution. In South Carolina, would-be
intruders should now hear this: invade a home and invite a bullet." Condon cited a "recent rash of home
invasions by gang members and other criminals." He said gang activity is
rising sharply in South Carolina. Condon also referenced a string of break-ins
in North Charleston and an incident in Columbia recently where a victim managed
to fight off home invaders with a sword. The Attorney General noted that in
Richland County, deputies believe 4 men were responsible for 90 home invasions
in the last year. Condon said that the new policy is also being instituted to
warn criminals of what faces them as a result of home invasion and to let
homeowners know their rights.
Condon said the case law in South Carolina
"gives iron-clad protection to the citizen in safeguarding his or her home.
Inside the citizen's home, there are no legal technicalities for the criminal to
rely on." Force even deadly force may be used, ruled the Court, "if
such degree of force be reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose of
preventing a forcible entry against his will." Condon said the new
"open season on home invaders" policy will assist law enforcement in
protecting private property and homes against break-ins because "law
enforcement officers cannot be everywhere at once." Said Condon, "home
invaders will think twice, and even a third time, knowing the risk of their own
death is waiting on the other side of the innocent homeowner's door."
"The home is the family's fortress of
protection," Condon said. When at home, people rightfully feel they are
standing on sacred ground. The citizen's home is the line in the sand where
criminals dare not cross." Copyright �2001 South Carolina
Attorney General's Office. All Rights Reserved.
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