South Carolina Code 23-31-415. Testing following death or serious personal injury; effect of refusal; evidentiary use
(B) A criminal charge resulting from the incident precipitating the officer’s demand for testing should be tried concurrently with a charge of a violation of § 23-31-400. If the charges are tried separately, the fact that the person refused, resisted, obstructed, or opposed testing is admissible at the trial of the criminal offense which precipitated the demand for testing.
Terms Used In South Carolina Code 23-31-415
- Defense attorney: Represent defendants in criminal matters.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
- Serious bodily injury: means a physical condition which creates a substantial risk of death, serious personal disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ. See South Carolina Code 23-31-400
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(C) The results of any test administered pursuant to this section for the purpose of detecting the presence of a controlled substance is not admissible as evidence in a criminal prosecution for the possession of a controlled substance.
Notwithstanding another provision of law pertaining to the confidentiality of hospital records or other medical records, information obtained pursuant to this section must be released to a court, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, or law enforcement officer in connection with an alleged violation of § 23-31-400 upon request for such information.