Rice v. South Carolina Department of Highways & Public Transportation

Littlejohn, Justice:

The Respondent, South Carolina Department of Highways and Public Transportation, required for public use, as permitted by Chapter 5, § 57-5-310 et seq. of the Code of Laws of South Carolina (1976), approximately one and one-fourth acres of land owned by the Appellant, James F. Rice. Pursuant to §§ 57-5-380 to 57-5-490, a Board of Condemnation held a hearing and made an award of $122,000 to the landowner. As permitted by § 57-5-500, the Department appealed to the Circuit Court and the issue of the amount of the award to be paid was tried de novo before a jury, resulting in…