How does the South Carolina Department of Revenue decide penalties for alcohol (beer, wine, and liquor) licensing violations?

Plain-English summary

This Revenue Procedure is the rulebook the Department of Revenue uses to set penalties for alcohol licensing violations — the sale, distribution, or possession of beer, wine, and alcoholic liquors under South Carolina's Title 61. It replaces the Department's earlier guidelines (Revenue Procedure #13-2) and aims to make penalties uniform, progressive, and predictable, while updating when the Department will seek to revoke a license.

Key principles the procedure sets out:

• Range of sanctions. A violation can draw a monetary fine, a license suspension, a license revocation, or some combination, depending on the law broken and the type of license or permit held. The General Assembly set different penalty ranges for different violations and license types.
• Guidelines, not a binding rule. The Department expressly says these are guidelines only and do not establish a binding norm. It may impose a more or less severe sanction within its statutory authority, and will generally consider (though not necessarily accept) claims of mitigating circumstances from a license holder and aggravating circumstances from law enforcement.
• "Revocation" is usually temporary. Unless a penalty is labeled a "permanent revocation," a revocation runs for a fixed period — typically two years or five years depending on the offense — during which the holder (and an applicant at that location) is ineligible for a license. Certain repeat liquor violations mandate a permanent revocation (for example, under § 61-6-1160 after a set number of offenses).
• All licenses at a location. When the Department seeks to suspend or revoke one license, it will generally seek the same for any other license the holder has at that location.
• Emergency suspensions. For the most serious offenses, the Department may impose an emergency (summary) suspension under §§ 1-23-370(c) and 12-60-1340, issuing a Determination and seeking an order of revocation from the Administrative Law Court.

What this means for you

Alcohol license and permit holders

Understand that penalties escalate with repeat violations and depend on both the specific law you broke and the license type you hold. Keep records that support any mitigating circumstances — the Department will consider them, though it is not required to accept them.

If you face a serious or repeat violation

Know that a "revocation" is usually a fixed two- or five-year bar, not necessarily permanent — but some repeat liquor violations do mandate permanent revocation, and egregious conduct can trigger an emergency suspension with an expedited path to the Administrative Law Court.

Collegiate sporting venues

If you operate a collegiate sporting venue with a beer and wine permit, note that SC Revenue Procedure #25-2 modified these general guidelines with a separate, seating-capacity-based penalty structure for such venues.

Common questions

Q: What violations does this cover?
A: Violations of South Carolina's Title 61 laws governing the sale, distribution, or possession of beer, wine, and alcoholic liquors.

Q: What penalties can the Department impose?
A: A monetary fine, a license suspension, a revocation, or a combination — escalating with the number and severity of violations.

Q: Is a revocation permanent?
A: Usually not. Unless labeled a "permanent revocation," it runs for a fixed period (commonly two or five years). Some repeat liquor violations mandate permanent revocation.

Q: Can the Department depart from these guidelines?
A: Yes. They are guidelines only, not a binding norm; the Department may impose any sanction within its statutory authority and weighs mitigating and aggravating circumstances.

Q: What is an emergency suspension?
A: For the most serious offenses, the Department may summarily suspend a license under §§ 1-23-370(c) and 12-60-1340 and seek an order of revocation from the Administrative Law Court.

Citations and references

Authority and statutes:

• S.C. Code Ann. Title 61 (2009 and Supp. 2018) — alcoholic beverage control laws
• S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-140(D) — suspension/revocation of licenses at a location
• S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1160 — maximum monetary penalty for liquor violations; permanent revocation after three offenses
• S.C. Code Ann. § 12-60-1340 — emergency/summary license suspension
• S.C. Code Ann. § 1-23-370(c) — emergency action pending proceedings
• S.C. Code Ann. § 12-4-320 (2014) — Department's authority to issue advisory opinions
• SC Revenue Procedure #09-3; supersedes SC Revenue Procedure #13-2; later modified by SC Revenue Procedure #25-2 (collegiate sporting venues)

Case law:

• Mims Amusement Co. v. S.C. Law Enforcement Div., 366 S.C. 141, 621 S.E.2d 344 (2005)

Source

• Landing page: https://dor.sc.gov/advisory-opinion-search
• Original PDF: https://dor.sc.gov/sites/dor/files/policies/RP24-1.pdf

Original ruling text

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
300A Outlet Pointe Blvd., Columbia, South Carolina 29210
P.O. Box 125, Columbia, South Carolina 29214-0575

SC REVENUE PROCEDURE #24-1
SUBJECT:

Penalty Guidelines for ABL Violations
(ABC Laws)

EFFECTIVE DATE:

April 8, 2024

SUPERSEDES:

SC Revenue Procedure #13-2 and all previous documents and any oral
directives in conflict herewith.

REFERENCE:

Title 61 (2009 and Supp. 2018)

AUTHORITY:

S.C. Code Ann. § 12-4-320 (2014)
S.C. Code Ann. § 1-23-10(4) (2005)
SC Revenue Procedure #09-3

SCOPE:

The purpose of a Revenue Procedure is to provide procedural guidance to
the public. It is an advisory opinion issued to assist in the administration
of laws and regulations by providing guidance that may be followed in
order to comply with the law. It is effective until superseded or modified
by a change in statute, regulation, court decision, or another Departmental
advisory opinion.

INTRODUCTION:
This advisory opinion provides guidelines of the State’s alcohol laws for the Department to use in
assessing penalties for violations of the statutes and regulations governing the sale, distribution, or
possession of beer, wine, and alcoholic liquors. The General Assembly established varying
penalty ranges for violations depending on the law that was violated, as well as the type of
license(s) authorizing the sale of beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors held by the person or entity
committing the violation(s). 1
The overall purpose of this procedure is to promote uniform penalty application, to provide a
broader range of progressive penalties, and to provide for penalties that are more stringent for some
violations while updating the circumstances in which the Department will seek to revoke a license.
1

In some cases, the term “license” is used in connection with liquor, while the term “permit” is
used in connection with beer and wine. However, in this document the terms (and their derivatives)
are interchangeable.

The Department may be flexible in situations that are particularly egregious or that fall outside the
specific situations described in the guidelines. These guidelines do not restrict the Department's
authority to impose any sanction within the statutory authority granted by the General Assembly. 2
These are guidelines only. This advisory opinion does not establish a binding norm. There will
likely be circumstances presented that call for either a more severe or less severe sanction. As a
general rule, the Department will consider, although it may not accept, any claim of mitigating
circumstances from a license holder and any claim of aggravating circumstances from law
enforcement or other sources.
Additionally, this advisory opinion establishes the usual procedure that the Department will
employ when it seeks to suspend a license on an emergency basis and sets forth some guidance
about the situations that may warrant an emergency suspension.
PROCEDURE:
Ensuring compliance with the law, not punishment, is the primary goal for administrative
penalties. Accordingly, except for the most serious offenses (see “Emergency Suspension”
below), the Department adopts a progressive response to assessing penalties. The penalties listed
below provide a monetary sanction, a license suspension, a license revocation, or some
combination thereof.
In some cases the severity of penalties listed below depends on the number of previous violations
at the licensed location. In counting the number of previous violations at the licensed location, the
Department will look back three (3) years from the date of the most recent violation. To determine
which of the progressive penalties applies to a particular violation, the Department will look at the
total number of violations committed during the lookback period, not just the number of a specific
type of violation. For example, if a licensee refills a bottle of liquor and within three (3) years sells
liquor to a minor, the sale to a minor will be penalized as a second offense against the license. At
the Department’s discretion, and for purposes of counting the number of violations in the look
back period only, multiple violations occurring on the same date may be counted as one violation,
even though separate penalties were assessed for each violation.
Specifically for the purpose of assessing penalties for sales to underage persons, the Department
may reduce any suggested penalty established in this advisory opinion when the following
mitigating circumstances exist:

1. The employee committing the violation has completed a training program recognized
   by the Department. 3 This training must have taken place within a reasonable period of
   2

See, e.g., S.C. Code Ann. §§ 61-4-250 and 61-4-270.

3

As used in this document, a “training program recognized by the Department” means a training
program specified in SC Information Letter #23-13. (Note: SC Information Letter #23-13 is
subject to real time updates as training programs are approved. The most recently updated
information letter will be published on the Department’s website at www.dor.sc.gov.) Trade
2

time prior to the offense and must include training covering the prevention of underage
sales. The person claiming mitigating circumstances under this item must provide the
Department verification that the employee attended and completed the training and an
outline of the training conducted.

2. Documented in-house training given to the offending employee on a regular and
   frequent basis. This in-house training must contain instruction relevant to the
   prevention of underage sales. The licensee must provide a copy of the materials used
   in the training.
3. Documentation that an internal check (e.g., visit to the offending store by a mystery
   shopper) designed to ensure compliance occurred within a reasonable period of time
   prior to the offense. This internal check must be relevant to the prevention of underage
   sales.
4. Use of an automated age verification program designed to prevent underage sales.
   If recognized mitigating circumstances are present, suspensions may be reduced in duration, and
   a revocation may be reduced to a suspension with monetary penalties. Monetary penalties also
   may be reduced. A licensee may offer other mitigating circumstances, but in every case the
   determination as to whether mitigating circumstances warrant a reduction in penalties is within the
   sole discretion of the Department. See SC Revenue Procedure #20-3. The Department does not
   consider the adverse financial impact that a penalty will have on a licensee or permit holder to be
   a mitigating circumstance.
   There may also be aggravating circumstances present in an underage sale. If aggravating
   circumstances are present, the Department may impose a harsher penalty than that set forth in this
   advisory opinion. In every case, the determination as to whether aggravating circumstances
   warrant an escalation in penalties is within the sole discretion of the Department, although the
   Department will not impose a sanction outside of the statutory authority granted by the General
   Assembly. Examples of aggravating circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:
5. The licensee’s prior violations, if any, are predominately or exclusively for sales to
   underage individuals.
6. The entity which holds the license has committed more than five (5) offenses under
   S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-580 within three (3) years of the most recent offense, regardless
   of whether some violations were consolidated for administrative purposes as described
   on page 2 of this Revenue Procedure.
7. The licensee or its agent or employee who committed the offense did so by knowingly
   bypassing or overriding the licensee’s age verification system. This includes, but is not
   associations and other organizations seeking to have a training program recognized by the
   Department should follow the instructions provided in SC Information Letter #23-13 and on the
   Department’s website.
   3

limited to, the use of an override feature in the system or the knowing input of false
information into the system in order to facilitate the sale.

4. The licensee or its agent or employee who committed the offense failed to request
   personal identification during the sale of alcoholic liquors, beer, or wine.
5. Evidence demonstrating the license holder’s disregard for complying with the alcohol
   laws of this state, including, but not limited to, evidence which indicates a lack of effort
   on the part of the license holder to mitigate any future offenses occurring within its
   licensed premises.
6. Input from law enforcement regarding the nature of the licensee’s business operations.
7. Evidence demonstrating that the license holder has failed to comply with the alcohol
   laws of this state at other licensed locations owned or controlled (in whole or in part)
   by the license holder.
   OFFENSES AND PENALTY GUIDELINES:
   Unless otherwise stated (i.e., “permanent revocation” as opposed to “revocation”), the revocation
   of a permit or license is not a permanent revocation, but is in effect for a fixed period of time. See
   S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-140(E) (“A person whose license or permit has been suspended or revoked
   for a particular premises is not eligible to receive an additional new license or permit at another
   location during the period the . . . revocation is in effect . . .”). An applicant is ineligible for a
   permit under Chapter 4, Title 61 if the applicant has had a permit revoked within two (2) years
   from the date of the new application. See S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-520(3). Further, an applicant is
   ineligible for a license under Articles 3 or 7, Chapter 6, Title 61 if the applicant has had “a license
   under this or another statute regulating the manufacture or sale of alcoholic liquors which has been
   revoked within five years preceding the filing of the application.” S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-110(4).
   Accordingly, unless specifically stated as a “permanent revocation,” any offense listed resulting
   in a “revocation” will either result in a two (2) year or five (5) year revocation period depending
   on the type of permit or license under which the violation occurred. Furthermore, “[n]o person
   within the second degree of kinship to a person whose license or permit is suspended or revoked
   may be issued a license or permit for the premises concerned for a period of one year after the date
   of suspension or revocation.” S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-140(D).
   Generally, when the Department seeks suspension or revocation of a license it will also seek
   suspension or revocation, respectively, of any other license issued to the same license holder at the
   same location or at a location within close proximity. S.C. Code Ann. § 61-2-140(E). For example,
   a license holder operating a restaurant with both a license to sell beer and wine and a license to
   sell liquor by the drink on the restaurant premises holds multiple licenses for the same location. A
   license holder operating separate, side-by-side retail stores for off-premises consumption, one
   under a license to sell liquor at retail and the other under a license to sell beer and wine, maintains
   licenses at locations that are in close proximity.

4

Beer and Wine (Retail Sale and On-Premise Consumption) (Chapter 4)

1. All offenses except as specified below or as otherwise specified by statute*:
   1st offense
   2nd offense
   3rd offense
   4th offense
   5th offense

• $750
• $1,000 + 2 day suspension
• $1,000 + 20 day suspension
• $1,000 + 45 day suspension
• Revocation

*To determine which of the progressive penalties applies to a particular violation, the Department
will look at the total number of violations committed under the license/permit during the three (3)
year lookback period. Therefore, if the licensee committed a violation within the lookback period
under a separate statute or regulation than the current violation, it will still count toward the
licensee’s total number of violations within the lookback period.

2. Selling/transferring beer and/or wine to a person
   under 21 years of age (61-4-580(A)(1) and 7-200.4):
   1st offense
   2nd offense
   3rd offense
   4th offense

• $1,000
• $1,000 + 7 day suspension
• $1,000 + 30 day suspension
• Revocation

3. Hindering/delaying inspection (61-4-230 and
   61-4-250):
   1st offense
   2nd offense

• $200 + 30 day suspension
• Revocation

4. Licensee or Principal (including an
   undisclosed Principal) not of good moral
   character (61-2-100(D) and 61-4-520(1)):

-Revocation

5. Permitting any act that constitutes a crime
   under the laws of South Carolina (61-4-580(5))
   (see note below):

• Revocation

6. Permitting gambling via electronic media
   including but not limited to “video poker”
   machines (61-4-580(3))**:

• Revocation

7. Permitting games of chance except certain game
   promotions (61-4-580(3))**:
   1st offense

• $1000 + 10 day suspension
  5

2nd offense

• Revocation

8. Permitting any act that tends to create a
   public nuisance (61-4-580(5)):

• Revocation

9. Permitting lewd entertainment (61-4-580(4)):

• Revocation

10. Failure to maintain liability insurance (61-2-145
    and 61-4-250)

• Indefinite Suspension

11. Failure to comply with the sign requirements,
    or to conspicuously post a retail permit (61-4-70,
    61-4-900, and Regs. 7-200.3 and 7-200.5):

• $100 per violation

12. Dishonored payments to beer and wine wholesalers
    (61-4-30 and 61-4-40):

• See SC Rev. Proc. #12-1

**As a general rule, the Department will not issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke a beer or wine
permit under Code Section 61-4-580(5) for permitting an act that constitutes a crime under the
laws of this State, unless the following conditions are met: (1) the underlying crime has a jail
sentence as a possible penalty, (2) a criminal citation was issued to the permit holder, agent,
employee or other person on the licensed premises, and (3) the criminal process ended with a result
other than a nolle prosequi or an acquittal.
The possession of illegal gambling/gaming devices is unlawful and constitutes a crime under S.C.
Code Ann. § 12-21-2712. Accordingly, the Department reserves the right to issue an
administrative violation under section 61-4-580(5) instead of section 61-4-580(3) should a case
arise where such a change in the Department’s procedure is appropriate. In those cases, the
Department may issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke under section 61-4-580(5) for possession of
illegal gambling/gaming machines on the licensed premises, after a magistrate has found the
machines to be illegal in a civil forfeiture proceeding under section 12-21-2712. No criminal
citation or conviction will be required. According to S.C. Code Ann. § 12-21-2712, it is the
Magistrate Court that determines the legality of machines seized by any law enforcement officer.
See Mims Amusement Co. v. S.C. Law Enforcement Div., 366 S.C. 141, 621 S.E.2d 344 (2005),
and Allendale County Sheriff’s Office v. Two Chess Challenge II, 361 S.C. 581, 606 S.E.2d 471
(2004).

6

Alcoholic Liquor by the Drink (On-Premise Consumption) (Article 5, Chapter 6)

1. All offenses except as specified below or as otherwise specified by statute*:
   - $500 4
   - $500 + 30 day suspension
   - $500 and Permanent revocation

1st offense
2nd offense
3rd offense

*To determine which of the progressive penalties applies to a particular violation, the Department
will look at the total number of violations committed under the license/permit during the three (3)
year lookback period. Therefore, if the licensee committed a violation within the lookback period
under a separate statute or regulation than the current violation, it will still count toward the
licensee’s total number of violations within the lookback period.

2. Failure to be primarily engaged in the
   preparation and serving of meals (61-6-1820):

• Revocation

3. Hindering/delaying inspection (61-6-4190):
   1st offense
   2nd offense

• $200 + 30 day suspension
• Revocation

4. License holder or principal not of good moral
   Character (61-2-100):

• Revocation

5. Failure to comply with the sign requirements,
   or to conspicuously post a retail license (61-61530, 61-6-1800, and Regs. 7-200.3 and 7-200.5):

• $100 per violation

6. Failure to report and remit taxes (61-6-2600(4))

-$1,000 and Permanent revocation

7. Failure to maintain liability insurance (61-2-145)

• Indefinite Suspension

4

When determining penalties for certain offenses, the Department must operate within the
penalty boundaries set by statute. For offenses occurring under Article 5, Chapter 6 of Title 61
(titled “Regulation of Alcoholic Liquors”), the maximum amount of a monetary penalty allowed
under the statute is $500. See S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-2600. Furthermore, the maximum offenses
allowed before the Department is mandated to seek a permanent revocation of the license is three.
See S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-2600.
7

Alcoholic Liquor (Retail Sale) (Article 3, Chapter 6)

1. All offenses except as specified below or as otherwise specified by statute*:
   1st offense
   2nd offense
   3rd offense
   4th offense

• $1,000
• $1,000 + 7 day suspension
• $1,000 + 30 day suspension
• Revocation 5

*To determine which of the progressive penalties applies to a particular violation, the Department
will look at the total number of violations committed under the license/permit during the three (3)
year lookback period. Therefore, if the licensee committed a violation within the lookback period
under a separate statute or regulation than the current violation, it will still count toward the
licensee’s total number of violations within the lookback period.

2. Interest in more than 6 retail stores (61-6-141):

• Revocation

3. Hindering/delaying inspection (61-6-4190):
   1st offense
   2nd offense

• $200 + 30 day suspension
• Revocation

4. License holder, or person having actual control/
   Principal not of good repute or moral character
   (61-2-100(D) and 61-6-110):

• Revocation

5. Failure to comply with the sign requirements,
   or to conspicuously post a retail license
   (61-6-1530, and Regs. 7-200.3 and 7-200.5):

• $100 per violation

6. Dishonored payments to liquor wholesalers
   (61-6-940, 61-6-1300(5), and Reg. 7-300.3):

• See SC Rev. Proc. #12-2

7. Refill, partially refill, or reuse a bottle of
   lawfully purchased alcohol liquor, or
   otherwise tamper with the contents of
   the bottle (61-6-1500(B)(1) and (2))
   1st offense
   2nd offense

• $500
• $1,000

5

Whenever a retail liquor dealer licensed under Article 3, Chapter 6 of Title 61 has sold or
permitted the sale of alcoholic liquors to a person under the age of twenty-one four (4) or more
times within three (3) years, the Department shall suspend or revoke the retail liquor license and
shall not accept a monetary penalty in lieu of said suspension or revocation. See S.C. Code Ann.
Regs. 7-302.
8

3rd offense
4th offense

• $1,000 + 30 day suspension
• Revocation

In the event of a criminal conviction based on a violation of S.C. Code Ann. § 61-61500(B)(1) the Department must permanently revoke the license regardless of the number
of offenses. See S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1500(B)(4).

8. Sale of alcoholic liquors from one retail
   dealer to another or improper transfer between
   locations owned by the same retail dealer
   (61-6-1500(A)(1)(f) and (B)(3), and Reg. 7-300.4)
   1st offense
   2nd offense
   3rd offense
   4th offense

• $500
• $1,000
• $1,000 + 30 day suspension
• Revocation

9. Purchase alcoholic liquors from another
   retail dealer or accepting an improper transfer from
   another retail location owned by the same retail dealer
   (61-6-1500(A)(5) and (B)(3), and Reg. 7-300.4)
   1st offense
   2nd offense
   3rd offense
   4th offense

• 30 day suspension
• 30 day suspension
• 30 day suspension
• Revocation

Alcoholic Liquor Manufacturers and Micro-Distilleries (Article 3, Chapter 6)

1. All offenses under S.C. Code Ann. §§ 61-6-1100, 61-6-1140, and 61-6-1150, except as
   otherwise specified by statute*:
   - $250 6
   - $500 + 30 day suspension
   - $500 + Permanent revocation

1st offense
2nd offense
3rd offense

*To determine which of the progressive penalties applies to a particular violation, the Department
will look at the total number of violations committed under the license/permit during the three (3)
year lookback period. Therefore, if the licensee committed a violation within the lookback period
6

When determining penalties for certain offenses, the Department must operate within the
penalty boundaries set by statute. For offenses occurring under Subarticle 11 of Article 3, Chapter
6 of Title 61 (titled “Regulation of Manufacturers and Micro-Distilleries”), the maximum amount
of a monetary penalty allowed is $500. See S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1160. Furthermore, the
maximum offenses allowed before the Department is mandated to seek a permanent revocation of
the license is three. See S.C. Code Ann. § 61-6-1160.
9

under a separate statute or regulation than the current violation, it will still count toward the
licensee’s total number of violations within the lookback period.

2. License holder, or person having actual control/
   Principal not of good repute or good moral
   character (61-2-100 and 61-6-110):

• Revocation

3. Hindering/delaying inspection (61-4-230,
   61-4-250, and 61-6-4190):
   1st offense
   2nd offense

• $200 + 30 day suspension
• Revocation

4. Failure to report and remit excise taxes
   (61-6-1160(C))

-$1,000 and Permanent revocation

Wholesale Beer and Wine (Chapter 4) and Wholesale Alcoholic Liquor (Article 3, Chapter
6)

1. All offenses except as specified below or as otherwise specified by statute*:
   1st offense
   2nd offense
   3rd offense
   4th offense

• $1,000
• $1,500 + 5 day suspension
• 30 day suspension
• Revocation

*To determine which of the progressive penalties applies to a particular violation, the Department
will look at the total number of violations committed under the license/permit during the three (3)
year lookback period. Therefore, if the licensee committed a violation within the lookback period
under a separate statute or regulation than the current violation, it will still count toward the
licensee’s total number of violations within the lookback period.

2. License holder, or person having actual control/
   Principal not of good repute or good moral
   character (61-2-100 and 61-6-110):

• Revocation

3. Hindering/delaying inspection (61-4-230,
   61-4-250, and 61-6-4190):
   1st offense
   2nd offense

• $200 + 30 day suspension
• Revocation

4. License holder, or person acting on behalf
   of the license holder, having an interest in
   a retail or manufacturing business (61-4-735,61-6-930, and 61-4-940): - Revocation
   10

Out-Of-State Wine Shippers (S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-747)
Title 61 provides a license for manufacturers of wine located within this State or outside this State,
who hold a wine producer and blenders basic permit issued in accordance with the Federal Alcohol
Administration Act, to obtain an out-of-state shipper’s license. See S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-747(A).
This license allows license holders to ship up to twenty-four (24) bottles of wine each month
directly to a resident of South Carolina who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age for such
resident’s personal use and not for resale. Id.
If the license is granted to an applicant, the license holder shall permit the Department to perform
an audit of the license holder’s out-of-state shipper’s records upon the Department’s request. See
S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-747(C)(5).
If an audit reveals that the holder of an out-of-state shipper’s license has failed to abide by the
restrictions provided in S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-747, the Department’s Alcohol and Beverage
Licensing Section shall seek the following penalties:
1st offense
2nd offense
3rd offense

• 30 day suspension
• 90 day suspension
• Revocation

The license holder will have the opportunity to protest the Department’s proposed suspension or
revocation of the license pursuant to the Revenue Procedures Act (RPA). See S.C. Code Ann. §
12-60-1310. If the license holder submits a timely protest to the Department pursuant to section
12-60-1310 regarding the Department’s proposed suspension or revocation of its out-of-state
shipper’s license, the Department, through the Department’s Office of General Counsel, may
accept payment of an offer in compromise in lieu of a suspension. See S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4747(F).
EMERGENCY SUSPENSIONS (S.C. Code Ann. §§ 1-23-370(c) and 12-60-1340):
If the Department finds that public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency
action, the Department may summarily suspend any license issued by the Department under Title
61, as provided in the South Carolina Administrative Procedures Act. See S.C. Code Ann. § 1-23370. This emergency suspension departs from the Department’s standard process for violations of
Title 61 as detailed above. The Department will summarily suspend a license pending a
determination from the Administrative Law Court (ALC) regarding whether the license should be
revoked. Such emergency situations will typically involve facts and evidence indicating that (1)
the license holder knowingly permits or fails to take reasonable measures to prevent acts inside of
or within close proximity of the licensed premises which threaten the public health, safety or
welfare, and (2) due to these acts, the license holder no longer holds a reputation for peace and
good order within the community.
Situations where the Department will summarily suspend a license pending a hearing on the
revocation of the license include, but are not limited to, the following:
11

1. There is evidence that criminal activity associated with the licensed premises has occurred
and has threatened or will likely threaten the health, safety and welfare of the public. Such
criminal activity includes, but is not limited to, the discharge of a firearm, assault and
battery, drive-by shootings, drug activity, gang activity, assault with a deadly weapon,
manslaughter, murder, or malicious destruction to real/personal property.

2. The criminal activity associated with the licensed premises has placed a strain on law
   enforcement, either by repeated responses by law enforcement for calls for service at or
   regarding the licensed premises or by law enforcement’s need to utilize other resources to
   monitor the licensed premises or both.
   The Department will determine on a case-by-case basis whether the facts and circumstances
   warrant an emergency summary suspension of the license.
   If, after an investigation is conducted by local law enforcement and/or South Carolina Law
   Enforcement Division (SLED), the Department determines that the facts and circumstances
   warrant an emergency summary suspension, the Department will notify the license holder by way
   of an administrative order that its license(s) are immediately suspended pursuant to section 1-23370(C) and will provide the basis for the suspension. The Department will also issue a Department
   Determination to the license holder, expressing the Department’s intent to seek a revocation of the
   license(s). Simultaneously, the Department will request an expedited hearing with the ALC
   pursuant to section 12-60-1340 seeking an order of revocation from the ALC. The Department
   may support its summary suspension and/or its request for an order of revocation with an
   affidavit(s) from local law enforcement or SLED.
   All filings with the ALC will be served upon the licensee via U.S. Mail at the mailing address on
   file with the Department’s Alcohol Beverage Licensing section.

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
s/W. Hartley Powell
W. Hartley Powell, Director
March 8 ______, 2024
Columbia, South Carolina

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