What are the potential penalties for someone convicted of homicide?

Law update since the original recording — effective May 22, 2025: After the original recording’s March 14, 2025 upload, South Carolina enacted § 16-3-80, fentanyl-induced homicide, a separate offense carrying up to 30 years when its statutory requirements are met. Our attorney discusses murder and manslaughter rather than this later offense.

Current-law clarification — October 16, 2026: Murder and homicide are not interchangeable categories. Section 16-3-20 also permits the death penalty in qualifying murder cases under its specific requirements; the original recording’s 30-years-to-life discussion does not cover every possible homicide sentence.

Homicide describes a death caused by another person, but it is not a single offense with one sentencing range. The precise charge matters when discussing potential punishment.

Our attorney explains the penalties for murder and manslaughter. South Carolina’s murder statute generally provides a mandatory minimum of 30 years to life, and qualifying cases may involve the death penalty under additional statutory requirements. Individual circumstances and applicable constitutional rules must also be considered.

Voluntary manslaughter has a different sentencing range of two to 30 years. Involuntary manslaughter carries up to five years. These distinctions make the evidence and the legal basis for the charge important when evaluating a case.

Our attorney emphasizes malice and the circumstances surrounding the death as important issues in distinguishing offenses and considering possible resolutions. Negotiation does not guarantee that a charge will be reduced, and a lesser offense must have a proper legal and evidentiary basis.

A homicide defense attorney can review the allegation, potential defenses, and sentencing exposure before explaining the options available.