Over the last several years, body camera systems have been rolled out across police departments throughout South Carolina. Today, most patrol officers in most jurisdictions are equipped with this technology. Body cam footage now supplements the dash-camera systems that have been used for many years.
Jurisdictions in South Carolina are also beginning to implement AI-based technology that can use body cam recordings to automatically generate police reports. This is a major shift in how evidence is created and shared in criminal cases.
How Defendants Gain Access to Body Cam Footage
Body cam footage is typically made available to defendants through the court’s discovery process. Our office begins every case by filing discovery motions under the South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure and Brady v. Maryland. Police departments or prosecutor’s offices then provide the footage, usually by sending a secure download link.
This footage can be used by either the prosecution or the defense. It can be reviewed in advance of trial, introduced in hearings, or played in front of a jury. Body cam footage can be very significant in cases ranging from disorderly conduct, domestic violence or even murder.
The Evolution of Police Video in South Carolina
James Snell has been practicing criminal defense law for over 20 years. Early in his career, the only video evidence usually available in a criminal case was a VHS copy of a grainy dash-camera recording, often limited to DUI stops.
Today, it is not unusual for our office to receive hours of high-definition body cam footage from every officer who responded to a scene. This change has given both sides much more material to work with—but it also means cases require more careful and time-consuming review.
What Happens If There Is No Body Cam Footage?
Although body cameras are widespread, they are not required in every situation. Not all officers are equipped with them, and sometimes video may be lost or never recorded in the first place. A lack of body cam footage does not automatically result in dismissal of a criminal case. The prosecution can still move forward using witness testimony and other forms of evidence. When body camera footage was created however, if it was not properly maintained or turned over this can create defenses to the case or evidence. There are special rules for DUI cases, those are typically the only crimes in South Carolina specifically requiring recordings of police investigations or the arrest.
How Body Cam Footage Impacts Police Behavior
One of the most significant effects of body cams has been the way they influence officer behavior. Officers know that everything they say or do may later be played in court. As a result, many interactions with the public are now calmer, more patient, and more professional than in years past.
In one case handled by our office, a local municipality had just introduced body cams. The footage captured an officer being rude and unprofessional to our client. When the video was played in its entirety for the jury, they quickly returned a not-guilty verdict. In a later case with the same officer, his tone and conduct had changed dramatically—he was exceedingly polite and professional. The difference was clear, and it mattered. If a police officer is recorded being rude and unprofessional in your case, that's usually a really good sign for the defense.
Why Body Cam Footage Matters in Your Defense
Body cam recordings often show details that may not appear in a written police report. They can reveal differences between a witness’s statements and what was actually said at the scene. Sometimes, they even capture discussions between officers themselves, providing important insight into whether assumptions or bias influenced the investigation.
This footage can be a powerful tool in defending against criminal charges in South Carolina. Careful review of all available video evidence is an essential step in preparing a defense strategy.
If you have been charged with a crime in Lexington, Columbia, or anywhere in South Carolina, it is important to have an attorney who knows how to obtain and analyze police body cam footage. Call the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC today at (803) 359-3301. Same-day appointments are typically available.
Disclaimer: Every case is unique. Prior results obtained by the attorney in one matter do not indicate that similar results can be obtained for other clients in other matters.