Taking a campaign sign is against the law

In high-stakes elections, it’s not uncommon to see a campaign sign displayed roadside one day…and gone the next.  However, Sheriff Mike Crenshaw of Oconee County is out with a reminder that stealing a politician’s campaign sign is an offense.  Crenshaw says he has taken some phone calls about missing signs.  According to Section 7-25-210 of the South Carolina Code of Law:  “It is unlawful to deface, vandalize, tamper with or remove a lawfully placed political campaign sign prior to the election without permission of the candidate or party.”  Violators are guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, can be fined as much as $100 or jailed for 30 days, or both.  The law does not apply to government entities that remove signs due to “noncompliance with applicable law” or an employee of a governmental entity who removes a sign  “within the course and scope of his employment.”