In South Carolina, the rules of evidence govern proceedings in the courts of South Carolina to the extent and with the exceptions stated in Rule 1101, except as otherwise provided by rule or by statute.  These rules apply to the courts of South Carolina except as otherwise provided by rule or statute.

Generally, the South Carolina Rules of Evidence apply to civil actions and proceedings, to criminal cases and proceedings, and to contempt proceedings except those in which the court may act summarily.  The rule with respect to privileges applies at all stages of all actions, cases, and proceedings.  The rules other than with respect to privileges do not apply in situations such as:

• Preliminary questions of fact;
• Proceedings before grand juries;
• Miscellaneous proceedings such as proceeidngs for extradition; preliminary hearings in criminal cases; sentencing, dispositional hearings in juvenile delinquency matters, or granting or revoking probation; issuance of warrants for arrest, criminal summonses, and search warrants; and proceedings with respect to release on bail or otherwise.

Table of Contents of South Carolina Rules of Evidence

SOUTH CAROLINA RULES OF EVIDENCE

    Article I. General provisions  

    Rule 101. Scope 

    Rule 102. Purpose and construction 

    Rule 103. Rulings on evidence 

    Rule 104. Preliminary questions 

    Rule 105. Limited admissibility 

    Rule 106. Remainder of or related writings or statements 

    Article II. Judicial notice  

    Rule 201. Judicial notice of adjudicative facts 

    Article III. Presumptions in civil actions and proceedings   

    Rule 301. Presumptions in general in civil actions and proceedings 

    Article IV. Relevancy and its limits

    Rule 401. Definition of “relevant evidence” 

    Rule 402. Relevant evidence generally admissible; irrelevant evidence inadmissible 

    Rule 403. Exclusion of relevant evidence on grounds of prejudice, confusion, or waste of time 

    Rule 404. Character evidence not admissible to prove conduct; exception; other crimes 

    Rule 405. Methods of proving character 

    Rule 406. Habit; routine practice 

    Rule 407. Subsequent remedial measures 

    Rule 408. Compromise and offers to compromise 

    Rule 409. Payment of medical and similar expenses 

    Rule 410. Inadmissibility of pleas, plea discussions, and related statements 

    Rule 411. Liability insurance 

    Rule 412. Admissibility of evidence concerning victim’s sexual conduct in criminal sexual conduct cases 

    Article V. Privileges

    Rule 501. General rule 

    Article VI. Witnesses   

    Rule 601. Competency 

    Rule 602. Lack of personal knowledge 

    Rule 603. Oath or affirmation 

    Rule 604. Interpreters 

    Rule 605. Competency of judge as witness 

    Rule 606. Competency of juror as witness 

    Rule 607. Who may impeach 

    Rule 608. Evidence of character, conduct and bias of witness 

    Rule 609. Impeachment by evidence of conviction of crime 

    Rule 610. Religious beliefs or opinions 

    Rule 611. Mode and order of interrogation and presentation 

    Rule 612. Writing used to refresh memory 

    Rule 613. Prior statements of witnesses 

    Rule 614. Calling and interrogation of witnesses by court 

    Rule 615. Exclusion of witnesses 

    Article VII. Opinions and expert testimony   

    Rule 701. Opinion testimony by lay witnesses 

    Rule 702. Testimony by experts 

    Rule 703. Bases of opinion testimony by experts 

    Rule 704. Opinion on ultimate issue 

    Rule 705. Disclosure of facts or data underlying expert opinion 

    Article VIII. Hearsay  

    Rule 801. Definitions 

    Rule 802. Hearsay rule 

    Rule 803. Hearsay exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial 

    Rule 804. Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable 

    Rule 805. Hearsay within hearsay 

    Rule 806. Attacking and supporting credibility of declarant 

    Article IX. Authentication and identification 3 

    Rule 901. Requirement of authentication or identification 

    Rule 902. Self-authentication 

    Rule 903. Subscribing witness’ testimony unnecessary 

    Article X. Contents of writings, recordings, and photographs   

    Rule 1001. Definitions 

    Rule 1002. Requirement of original 

    Rule 1003. Admissibility of duplicates 

    Rule 1004. Admissibility of other evidence of contents 

    Rule 1005. Public records 

    Rule 1006. Summaries 

    Rule 1007. Testimony or written admission of party 

    Rule 1008. Functions of court and jury 

    Article XI. Miscellaneous rules  

    Rule 1101. Applicability of rules 

    Rule 1102. Amendments 

    Rule 1103. Title and effective date