South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure – 2026

The South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure govern criminal proceedings in the state courts, covering pretrial matters, arraignment and pleas, trial, sentencing, and post-conviction relief.

Last updated August 30, 2026

Browse all 28 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

I. Pretrial Matters

Rule 1 Sheriff to File Affidavits on Arrest Rule 2 Preliminary Hearings Rule 3 Disposition of Arrest Warrants Rule 4 Motions in General Rule 5 Disclosure in Criminal Cases Rule 6 Rule for Chemical Analysis and Chain of Custody Rule 7 Continuances Rule 8 [Reserved]

II. Trial

Rule 13 Subpoenas Rule 14 Trial by Jury Rule 16 Presence of Accused at Trial Rule 17 Reservation of Objections Rule 18 Argument on Objections Rule 19 Directed Verdict Rule 20 Instructions Rule 22 Addressing the Jury Rule 23 Separation of Jury Rule 24 Expert Testimony

III. Post Trial Matters

Rule 28 Affidavit in Mitigation - How Submitted Rule 29 Post Trial Motions Rule 30 Processing and Maintaining Bench Warrants

IV. General Provisions

Rule 35 Time Rule 36 Forms Rule 37 Applicability Rule 38 Title and Citation Rule 39 Rules Repealed Rule 40 Effective Date Rule appendix-of-forms Appendix of Forms