(A) Nothing in this article prohibits a person and a solicitor or the Attorney General, as applicable, from consenting to and conducting post-conviction DNA testing by agreement of the parties. The person may use the exculpatory results of the DNA test as the grounds for filing a motion for new trial pursuant to the South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure.
(B) Nothing in this article prohibits a person from filing an application for post-conviction relief pursuant to Chapter 27, Title 17.
(C) Unless there is an act of gross negligence or intentional misconduct this article may not be construed to give rise to a claim for damages against the State of South Carolina, a political subdivision of the State, or an employee of the State or a political subdivision of the State. Failure of a custodian of evidence to preserve physical evidence or biological material pursuant to this article does not entitle the applicant to any relief from conviction or adjudication but does not prohibit a person from presenting this information at a subsequent hearing or trial.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 413, Section 1, eff January 1, 2009.