S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-270 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 14-17-270
SECTION 14-17-270. Clerk shall witness and approve security for costs; form of undertaking.
Status: in_force

Whenever security for costs may be ordered to be given or may be tendered by any plaintiff in vacation or in term time the clerk shall witness the signature of the surety and shall, in the first instance, judge of the sufficiency of the security. The form of the undertaking shall be according to law or the rule of the court on that subject if there be no law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1960 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 17 / Section 14-7-1960
SECTION 14-7-1960. Election of alternate provisions by county ordinance.
Status: in_force

A county governing body, by ordinance, may elect to use the provisions of this article as the method of selecting and impaneling grand juries and grand jurors in that county based on its determination that grand jury case loads, length of time persons must serve as grand jurors, and other similar concerns require this alternative method.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-620 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 14-5-620
SECTION 14-5-620. Terms of court in first circuit.
Status: in_force

The courts of the first judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided. (1) Calhoun County. - The court of general sessions for Calhoun County shall be held at St. Matthews on the fourth Monday in May, the fourth Monday in September, and the first Monday in February. The court of common pleas for said county shall be held at St. Matthews on the fourth Monday in April and the first Monday in December for two weeks. And in addition to the terms of the court of common pleas above provided for there shall be terms of such court during each of the weeks in which there are fixed terms of court for the court of general sessions and immediately upon the conclusion of the business of the court of general sessions such court shall open and the petit jurors drawn to serve in the court of general sessions shall serve as petit jurors in the court of common pleas and any and all business may be transacted as at any other term of the court of common pleas. (2) Dorchester County. - The court of general sessions for Dorchester County shall be held at St. George on the third Monday in February, the second Monday in April, the fourth Monday in June and the second Monday in November for one week each. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at St. George on the first and third Mondays in April, the third Monday in October and the first Monday in November for one week each. There shall also be a court of common pleas at St. George for one week commencing on the second Monday in July without a jury. (3) Orangeburg County. - The court of general sessions for the county of Orangeburg shall be held at Orangeburg the second Monday in January, the first Monday in May and the second Monday in September. The term shall be for two weeks for the January and September sessions. The term shall be for three weeks for the May session. The court of common pleas for the county of Orangeburg shall be held at Orangeburg on the second Monday in March for three weeks, the first Monday in June for three weeks, and a three-week term commencing the first Monday in October, continuing for two weeks and then recommencing on the fourth Monday and continuing for an additional week.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-20 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 14-17-20
SECTION 14-17-20. Clerk of court of common pleas to be clerk of all courts of record.
Status: in_force

The clerk of the court of common pleas elected in each county pursuant to Section 14-17-10 is ex officio clerk of the court of general sessions, the family court, and all other courts of record in the county except as may be provided by the law establishing the other courts.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-440 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 14-5-440
SECTION 14-5-440. Calling off regular terms of common pleas court.
Status: in_force

Regular terms of the court of common pleas fixed by statute shall not be called off by the request of the members of the bar in the county in which the court is to be held unless at least three fourths of the resident members of such bar having cases for trial at that time request the same, in writing, of the judge who is to preside at such court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1640 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 15 / Section 14-7-1640
SECTION 14-7-1640. Indictment by state grand jury; powers and duties of state grand jury.
Status: in_force

A state grand jury may return indictments irrespective of the county or judicial circuit where the offense is committed or triable. If an indictment is returned, it must be certified and transferred for prosecution to the county where the offense was committed in accordance with Section 14-7-1750. The powers and duties of and the law applicable to county grand juries apply to a state grand jury, except when these are inconsistent with the provisions of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-220 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article III / Section 14-8-220
SECTION 14-8-220. Power of Court and judges to administer oaths and writs; appeal.
Status: in_force

The Court and each of the judges thereof shall have the same power at chambers or in open court to administer oaths, and to issue such remedial writs as are necessary to give effect to its jurisdiction. An appeal shall be allowed from decision of any one judge to a panel of the Court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-27-40 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 27 / Section 14-27-40
SECTION 14-27-40. Terms.
Status: in_force

Members of the Judicial Council serve for the following terms: (1) If he designates no other member of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice serves during his term of office. If the Chief Justice designates some other member of the court, the other member serves during his term of office. (2) The President of the Senate, Speaker of the House or their designees, and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee, House Ways and Means Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, and House Judiciary Committee or their designees serve during their respective terms as those officers. (3) The person recommended by the South Carolina Bar and appointed by the Chief Justice serves coterminous with the term of the President of the South Carolina Bar who makes the recommendation of the person for appointment. (4) The Chief Judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals serves during his term of office. (5) The member of the legal department of the State (Attorney General, one of the Assistant Attorneys General, or one of the circuit solicitors) serves for a period of four years. (6) The Dean or member of the faculty of the Law School of the University of South Carolina and the person recommended by the Charleston School of Law serve for a period of four years. (7) The two circuit court judges serve for a period of four years each. (8) The two family court judges serve for a period of four years each. (9) The two judges of the probate courts serve for a period of four years each. (10) The Director of the Legislative Council serves during his term of office. (11) The two summary court judges serve for a period of four years each. (12) The two masters-in-equity serve for a period of four years each. (13) Three of the remaining six members of the Judicial Council must be appointed initially for terms of two years each, and three members must be appointed initially for terms of four years each. After the initial appointments, all six members must be appointed for terms of four years each. The members designated in items (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (11), and (12) cease to be members of the Judicial Council before the expiration of their respective terms if they cease to hold the official positions entitling them to membership on the Judicial Council. Effect of Amendment 2019 Act No. 1, SECTION 91, in (2), substituted "The President of the Senate" for "The Lieutenant Governor".
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1630 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 15 / Section 14-7-1630
SECTION 14-7-1630. Jurisdiction of juries; notification to impanel juries; powers and duties of impaneling and presiding judges; transfer of incomplete investigations; effective date and notice requirements with respect to orders of judge; appeals.
Status: in_force

(A) The jurisdiction of a state grand jury impaneled pursuant to this article extends throughout the State. The subject matter jurisdiction of a state grand jury in all cases is limited to the following offenses: (1) a crime involving narcotics, dangerous drugs, or controlled substances, or a crime arising out of or in connection with a crime involving narcotics, dangerous drugs, or controlled substances, including, but not limited to, money laundering as specified in Section 44-53-475, obstruction of justice, perjury or subornation of perjury, or any attempt, aiding, abetting, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit one of the aforementioned crimes, if the crime is of a multi-county nature or has transpired or is transpiring or has significance in more than one county of this State; (2) a crime involving criminal gang activity or a pattern of criminal gang activity pursuant to Article 3, Chapter 8, Title 16; (3) a crime, statutory, common law or other, involving public corruption as defined in Section 14-7-1615, a crime, statutory, common law or other, arising out of or in connection with a crime involving public corruption as defined in Section 14-7-1615, and any attempt, aiding, abetting, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit a crime, statutory, common law or other, involving public corruption as defined in Section 14-7-1615; (4) a crime involving the election laws, including, but not limited to, those named offenses specified in Title 7, or a common law crime involving the election laws if not superseded, or a crime arising out of or in connection with the election laws, or any attempt, aiding, abetting, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit a crime involving the election laws; (5) a crime involving computer crimes, pursuant to Chapter 16, Title 16, or a conspiracy or solicitation to commit a crime involving computer crimes; (6) a crime involving terrorism, or a conspiracy or solicitation to commit a crime involving terrorism. Terrorism includes an activity that: (a) involves an act dangerous to human life that is a violation of the criminal laws of this State; (b) appears to be intended to: (i) intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and (c) occurs primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of this State; (7) a crime involving a violation of Chapter 1, Title 35 of the Uniform Securities Act, or a crime related to securities fraud or a violation of the securities laws; (8) a crime involving obscenity, including, but not limited to, a crime as provided in Article 3, Chapter 15, Title 16, or any attempt, aiding, abetting, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit a crime involving obscenity; (9) a crime involving the knowing and wilful making of, aiding and abetting in the making of, or soliciting or conspiring to make a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in an affidavit regarding an alien's lawful presence in the United States, as defined by law, if the number of violations exceeds twenty or if the public benefit received by a person from a violation or combination of violations exceeds twenty thousand dollars; (10) a crime involving financial identity fraud or identity fraud involving the false, fictitious, or fraudulent creation or use of documents used in an immigration matter as defined in Section 16-13-525, if the number of violations exceeds twenty, or if the value of the ascertainable loss of money or property suffered by a person or persons from a violation or combination of violations exceeds twenty thousand dollars; (11) a crime involving the knowing and wilful making of, aiding or abetting in the making of, or soliciting or conspiring to make a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in a document prepared or executed as part of the provision of immigration assistance services in an immigration matter, as defined by law, if the number of violations exceeds twenty, or if a benefit received by a person from a violation or combination of violations exceeds twenty thousand dollars; (12) a knowing and wilful crime involving actual and substantial harm to the water, ambient air, soil or land, or both soil and land. This crime includes a knowing and wilful violation of the Pollution Control Act, the Atomic Energy and Radiation Control Act, the State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response Bank Act, the State Safe Drinking Water Act, the Hazardous Waste Management Act, the Infectious Waste Management Act, the Solid Waste Policy and Management Act, the Erosion and Sediment Control Act, the South Carolina Mining Act, and the Coastal Zone Management Act, or a knowing and wilful crime arising out of or in connection with environmental laws, or any attempt, aiding, abetting, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit a knowing and wilful crime involving the environment if the anticipated actual damages, including, but not limited to, the cost of remediation, is two million dollars or more, as certified by an independent environmental engineer who must be contracted by the Department of Health and Environmental Control. If the knowing and wilful crime is a violation of federal law, a conviction or an acquittal pursuant to federal law for the same act is a bar to the impaneling of a state grand jury pursuant to this section; (13) a crime involving or relating to the offense of trafficking in persons, as defined in Section 16-3-2020, when a victim is trafficked in more than one county or a trafficker commits the offense of trafficking in persons in more than one county; and (14) a crime involving a violation of the South Carolina Anti-Money Laundering Act as set forth in Chapter 11, Title 35, or a crime related to a violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. (B) When the Attorney General and the Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division consider a state grand jury necessary to enhance the effectiveness of investigative or prosecutorial procedures, the Attorney General may notify in writing to the chief administrative judge for general sessions in the judicial circuit in which he seeks to impanel a state grand jury that a state grand jury investigation is being initiated. This judge is referred to in this article as the presiding judge. The notification must allege the type of offenses to be inquired into and, in the case of those offenses contained in subsection (A)(1), must allege that these offenses may be of a multicounty nature or have transpired or are transpiring or have significance in more than one county of the State. The notification in all instances must specify that the public interest is served by the impanelment. (C) In all investigations of crimes specified in subsection (A)(12), except in matters where the Department of Health and Environmental Control or its officers or employees are the subjects of the investigation, the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control must consult with and, after investigation, provide a formal written recommendation to the Attorney General and the Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The Attorney General and the Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division must consider the impaneling of a state grand jury necessary and the commissioner must sign a written recommendation before the Attorney General notifies the chief administrative judge pursuant to subsection (B). (1) In the case of evidence brought to the attention of the Attorney General, the Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, or the Department of Health and Environmental Control by an employee or former employee of the alleged violating entity, there also must be separate, credible evidence of the violation in addition to the testimony or documents provided by the employee or former employee of the alleged violating entity. (2) When an individual employee performs a criminal violation of the environmental laws that results in actual and substantial harm pursuant to subsection (A)(12) and which prompts an investigation authorized by this article, only the individual employee is subject to the investigation unless or until there is separate, credible evidence that the individual's employer knew of, concealed, directed, or condoned the employee's action. (D) If the notification properly alleges inquiry into crimes within the jurisdiction of the state grand jury and the notification is otherwise in order pursuant to the requirements of this section, the presiding judge must impanel a state grand jury. State grand juries are impaneled for a term of twelve calendar months. Upon the request by the Attorney General, the then chief administrative judge for general sessions in the judicial circuit in which a state grand jury was impaneled, by order, must extend the term of that state grand jury for a period of six months but the term of that state grand jury, including an extension of the term, must not exceed two years. If at the conclusion of a state grand jury's term a particular investigation is not completed, the Attorney General may notify the presiding judge in writing that the investigation is being transferred to the subsequently impaneled state grand jury. A decision by the presiding judge not to impanel a state grand jury after notification by the Attorney General may be appealed to the Supreme Court and shall be handled in an expedited fashion. (E) The chief administrative judge of the circuit wherein a state grand jury is sitting shall preside over that state grand jury during his tenure as chief administrative judge. The successor chief administrative judge shall assume all duties and responsibilities with regard to a state grand jury impaneled before his term including, but not limited to, presiding over the state grand jury and ruling on petitions to extend its term. (F) Upon the request of the Attorney General, the presiding judge may discharge a state grand jury prior to the end of its original term or an extension of the term. (G) An order limiting or ending a state grand jury investigation only shall be granted upon a finding of arbitrary action, compelling circumstances, or serious abuses of law or procedure by or before the state grand jury, and does not become effective less than ten days after the date on which it is issued and actual notice given to the Attorney General and the foreman of the state grand jury, and may be appealed by the Attorney General or the legal advisor to the state grand jury to the Supreme Court. If an appeal from the order is made, the state grand jury, except as is otherwise ordered by the Supreme Court, shall continue to exercise its powers pending disposition of the appeal. Appeals by the Attorney General or the legal advisor to the state grand jury of orders limiting or ending a state grand jury investigation, and appeals from orders granting or denying motions to quash or contempt citations therefrom which are immediately appealable under the law, must be handled by the South Carolina Supreme Court in an expedited fashion. Editor's Note 2016 Act No. 266, SECTION 5, provides: "SECTION 5. This act takes effect one year after approval of this act by the Governor or upon the publication in the State Register of final regulations implementing the act, whichever occurs later. The commissioner is authorized to begin promulgating these regulations upon approval of this act by the Governor which shall take effect when this act takes effect as provided in this section." Effect of Amendment 2016 Act No. 266, SECTION 2, in (A), added (14), related to the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-740 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 7 / Section 14-17-740
SECTION 14-17-740. Annual accounts of fines and forfeitures; suit to recover upon failure to account.
Status: in_force

The clerk shall return to the governing body of the county, on or before the last day of October in every year, an account, upon oath, in duplicate, of all fines and forfeitures inflicted in his court during the preceding year and of the amounts had and received by him and of the manner in which such fines were disposed of, under penalty of two hundred dollars, to be recovered against any clerk for default herein by action. The governing body of the county shall request the Attorney General or solicitor, as the case may be, to sue for and recover such sum of every clerk that may fail to render such account.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-780 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 14-5-780
SECTION 14-5-780. Terms of court in twelfth circuit.
Status: in_force

The courts of the twelfth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided. (1) Marion County. - The court of general sessions for Marion County shall be held at Marion on the third Monday in February, on the third Monday in April, on the fourth Monday in June, and on the fourth Monday in October, in each case for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Marion on the fourth Monday in February for one week, on the third Monday in March for one week, on the first Monday in May for one week, on the second Monday in May for one week, on the third Monday in June for one week, on the third Monday in September for one week, on the fourth Monday in September for one week and on the fourth Monday in November for two weeks. (2) Florence County. - The court of general sessions for Florence County shall be held at Florence on the third Monday in January for one week, on the fourth Monday in January for one week, on the first Monday in March for one week, on the second Monday in March for one week, on the fourth Monday in April for one week, on the first Monday in June for one week, on the second Monday in June for one week, on the first Monday in October for one week, on the second Monday in October for one week and on the second Monday in December for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Florence on the first Monday in January for one week, on the second Monday in January for one week, on the first Monday in February for one week, on the second Monday in February for one week, on the first Monday in April for one week, on the second Monday in April for one week, on the third Monday in May for one week, on the fourth Monday in May for one week, on the first Monday in September for one week, on the second Monday in September for one week, on the first Monday in November for one week and on the second Monday in November for one week. Provided, that the first day of each two-week term shall be for equity, nonjury matters and call of calendar, only.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-770 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 14-5-770
SECTION 14-5-770. Call of calendars in eleventh circuit.
Status: in_force

The presiding judge shall call calendars two and three peremptorily on Wednesday after the opening of the court of general sessions or as soon before or thereafter as there may be time for the same and the court deems it proper in the counties of Lexington and Saluda, but in no event shall the calling of said calendars or the hearing of cases thereon be allowed to interfere with the business of the court of general sessions.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-110 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article I / Section 14-8-110
SECTION 14-8-110. Duties of Clerk of Supreme Court; appointment of clerk of Court of Appeals to aid clerk of Supreme Court.
Status: in_force

The Clerk of the Supreme Court, in a manner prescribed by the Supreme Court, shall be responsible for the custody and keeping of the record of the Court. A clerk of the Court of Appeals shall be appointed by the judges of the Court to aid the Clerk of the Supreme Court in the performance of these duties. Editor's Note Provisions of this section concerning the appointment of the Clerk of the Court were formerly contained in SECTION 14-8-140.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-410 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article V / Section 14-8-410
SECTION 14-8-410. Where Court may sit.
Status: in_force

The Court shall sit and maintain its principal offices in the City of Columbia; however, any hearing panel of the Court may hold court in any county in South Carolina for the purpose of hearing oral arguments and motions pending in cases before such court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-860 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 7 / Section 14-7-860
SECTION 14-7-860. Authority of judge to excuse jurors for good cause; excuse of women with children under age 7, primary caretakers of certain persons, and persons essential to operation of business; punishment for violations.
Status: repealed

(A) The presiding judge for cause shown may excuse any person from jury duty at any term of court if the judge considers it advisable. But no juror who has been drawn to serve at any term of the court may be excused except for good and sufficient cause, which, together with his application, must be filed in the office of the clerk of court and remain on record. (B) A person who: (1) has legal custody and the duty of care for a child less than seven years of age; (2) is the primary caretaker of a person aged sixty-five or older; or (3) is the primary caretaker of a severely disabled person who is unable to care for himself or cannot be left unattended; and desires to be excused from jury duty must submit an affidavit to the clerk of court. The affidavit must state that he is unable to provide adequate care for the child, person aged sixty-five or older, or disabled person while performing jury duty, and must be excused by the presiding judge from jury service. (C) The provisions of Section 14-7-870 do not apply to any juror described in this subsection who: (a) has a child less than seven years of age, (b) is the primary caretaker of a person aged sixty-five or older, or (c) is the primary caretaker of a severely disabled person who is unable to care for himself or cannot be left unattended. (D) Upon submitting an affidavit to the clerk of court requesting to be excused from jury duty, a person either may be excused or transferred to another term of court by the presiding judge if the person performs services for a business, commercial, or agricultural enterprise, and the person's services are so essential to the operations of the business, commercial, or agricultural enterprise that the enterprise must close or cease to function if the person is required to perform jury duty. (E) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. Editor's Note An earlier version of this section, which contained provisions relative to exemption of dentists and dental hygienists from jury service, was repealed by 1979 Act No. 108, SECTION 2, eff June 22, 1979.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1970 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 17 / Section 14-7-1970
SECTION 14-7-1970. Periodic exemption of jurors from subsequent duty.
Status: in_force

A person completing service as a grand juror under the alternative method provided by this article, including any service as a holdover grand juror, is exempt from any further jury service in any court of this State for a period of five calendar years.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-10 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article I / Section 14-8-10
SECTION 14-8-10. Court of Appeals created; number of judges.
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the Court of Appeals (the Court), which shall be a part of the unified judicial system. The Court shall consist of a Chief Judge and eight associate judges.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-13-40 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 13 / Section 14-13-40
SECTION 14-13-40. Court reporters shall file certificates of compliance with chapter.
Status: in_force

Each reporter shall file with the resident judge of his circuit on or before the fifteenth day of January of each year a certificate certifying his compliance with the terms of this chapter, and a copy shall be filed with the clerk of the Supreme Court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-120 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article I / Section 14-8-120
SECTION 14-8-120. Editing, publishing, and distributing of opinions and decisions.
Status: in_force

Editing, publishing, and distributing of the opinions and decisions of the Court shall be done in accordance with the procedures followed by the Supreme Court with respect to the editing, publishing, and distributing of its opinions and decisions.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-820 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 7 / Section 14-3-820
SECTION 14-3-820. Appointment of committee to contract for publishing of reports.
Status: in_force

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall appoint a committee of four, composed of two members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker, one member of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate and one member of the Supreme Court to be appointed by the Chief Justice, which shall contract for five years at a time for the prompt editing, publishing and distribution of the opinions of the Supreme Court and bound volumes thereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1340 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 11 / Section 14-7-1340
SECTION 14-7-1340. Duties and service of alternate jurors.
Status: in_force

Such alternate jurors shall sit near the jury panel charged with the case, shall have the same opportunities for seeing and hearing the proceedings in the case, and shall take the same oath as the jurors already sworn and shall attend at all times the trial of the cause in company with the other jurors. They shall obey the orders of, and be bound by, the admonition of the court upon each adjournment of the court and, if the regular jurors are ordered to be kept in custody by the court during the trial of the cause, such alternate jurors shall also be kept in confinement with the other jurors and, except as hereinafter provided, shall be discharged upon the final submission of the case to the jury. If, before the final submission of the case to the jury, a juror thereon dies or becomes so ill or disabled as to be unable in the judgment of the court to perform his duties thereon, the court shall order him to be discharged and draw the name of one of the alternates, if there be more than one, by ballot to serve in the place of such dead or discharged juror throughout the remainder of the proceedings, being subject to the same rules and regulations as applied to the remainder of jurors, just as though he had been one of the original jurors. If there be but one alternate, he shall be placed upon the jury panel for all further proceedings in such cause.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-600 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 5 / Section 14-17-600
SECTION 14-17-600. Judges shall require clerks to comply with Sections 14-17-540 and 14-17-550.
Status: in_force

The circuit judge shall require the clerks of court to comply with the requirements of Sections 14-17-540 and 14-17-550.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-20 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-20
SECTION 14-1-20. "Real property" and "real estate" defined.
Status: in_force

The words "real property" and "real estate," as used in this Title, are coextensive with lands, tenements and hereditaments.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-370 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-370
SECTION 14-23-370. Order or decree as a lien or a judgment.
Status: in_force

No order or decree of any court of probate for the payment of money shall, as to third persons, without express notice, have any effect as a lien on the real estate of the person intended to be bound thereby but from the day when such a brief or abstract shall have been delivered to or lodged with the judge of probate as aforesaid and a transcript of the docket thereof in the index of money decrees as herein prescribed has been filed in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas for the same county and duly entered by the clerk on the calendar of judgments kept in his office. Nor shall such order or decree rank as a judgment against the estate of any person deceased unless such abstract was duly filed and indexed and a transcript of the entry in the index filed with the clerk of the circuit court for the same county and duly docketed by the clerk on the calendar of judgments of the court of common pleas before the death of such deceased person. After the transcript of the docket in the index of money decrees has been duly entered upon the calendar of judgments kept in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas such order or decree shall have like force and effect as judgments of the courts of common pleas.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-660 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 14-5-660
SECTION 14-5-660. Time when pleadings and other papers are returnable in fourth circuit; notice of terms.
Status: in_force

All recognizances, pleadings, notices and papers shall be returnable and applicable to the terms of the court as fixed by Section 14-5-650 and the clerk of the court for each county in the fourth judicial circuit shall give two weeks' notice of each and every term of the court in some newspaper published in the county, stating the day of the month on which the next court will open for the county.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1050 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 9 / Section 14-7-1050
SECTION 14-7-1050. Impaneling jury; in court of common pleas.
Status: in_force

In the trial of all actions at law in the courts of common pleas and issues ordered to be framed by the judge in equity cases in the courts, the clerk in the manner provided by Section 14-7-1060 shall furnish the parties or their attorneys with a list of twenty jurors from the whole number of jurors who are in attendance, the names on the list to be numbered from one to twenty, and be stricken off by numbers in the same manner as the regular panels of jurors in those courts have been formed. From this list the parties or their attorneys shall alternatively strike, until there are but twelve left, which shall constitute the jury to try the case or issue. In all cases the plaintiff shall have the first strike and in all civil cases any party shall have the right to demand a panel of twenty competent and impartial jurors from which to strike a jury.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-150 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 14-3-150
SECTION 14-3-150. Duties of county sheriffs and clerks; enforcement of service and execution.
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court may require the sheriff of each and every county to whom any order or process issuing from said court may be directed to serve and execute the same and shall have the same power to enforce such service and execution and to punish default thereon as is vested in circuit courts on processes issuing therefrom. The sheriff and clerk of each and every county, whenever required, shall attend any hearing in any case by any of the justices at the courthouse in any of the counties.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-630 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 14-3-630
SECTION 14-3-630. Disposition of appeals not heard.
Status: in_force

If the cases on the calendar and set for hearing cannot be heard in the period allotted the court shall continue the same to be heard after the regular call of the cases for that session or may call an extra term for the hearing of the same or continue them to the next stated term thereafter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-15-40 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 14-15-40
SECTION 14-15-40. Fees of stenographers.
Status: in_force

The Court Stenographers shall, in addition to their salaries, receive such fees for all transcripts furnished litigants as shall be provided by rule of the Supreme Court. The Court Reporters shall furnish a transcript of any case or any part thereof, after a demand for same has been made, within such time period as the Supreme Court shall provide by rule. Any sum so paid by any party for the transcript of any case or any part thereof shall be considered a necessary disbursement in the taxation of cost.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-70 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 14-3-70
SECTION 14-3-70. Compensation and allowances for special justices.
Status: in_force

When such appointments are made by the Governor, such person shall receive as compensation for his services while so acting as associate justice of the Supreme Court for the time actually engaged in performing such services the same salary allowance and expenses and stenographic hire as an associate justice of the Supreme Court would receive for the same period. Such salary and expense allowance shall be figured in the ratio that the number of days such acting associate justice is actually engaged in sitting with the court bears to the number of days that the court is actually in session during the year, except that in the event such acting associate justice shall sit and hear only one cause he shall receive only fifty per cent of the salary and allowances herein fixed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-340 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-340
SECTION 14-7-340. Procedure to obtain jurors when jury commissioners are disqualified.
Status: in_force

If notice is given and the party upon whom it is served concedes or it is determined by the court that the relationship, connection, or disqualification exists, then the moving party shall apply to the resident circuit judge or the presiding judge of the circuit, either at chambers or in term time, setting out by way of affidavits the facts. Thereupon the judge shall order the jury commissioners who are not related, connected, or disqualified to make up a special jury box composed of the names of two hundred and forty persons, who are qualified to serve as jurors, from which special box there must be drawn the names of thirty-six jurors who must be summoned and required to attend as extra jurors. From the extra panel a jury may be obtained to try the case in which the regular panel is disqualified. In case all of the jury commissioners are disqualified, then the judge shall designate three others who shall perform this duty. Editor's Note Provisions relative to supplying deficiencies in numbers of jurors drawn, which formerly appeared in this section, can now be found in SECTION 14-7-300.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-830 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 7 / Section 14-3-830
SECTION 14-3-830. Contents of reports.
Status: in_force

The reports of the decisions shall contain at least such matter as is now found in the South Carolina Reports including: (1) A syllabus of the decision, citations, statements of the testimony and pleadings sufficient to give an understanding of the case and the decision of the court; (2) An alphabetical list at the end of the volume of all cases mentioned in any way in the decision; and (3) A full and complete digest and index to the contents of the volume. Each volume shall contain not more than one thousand pages, exclusive of index.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-280 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-280
SECTION 14-23-280. Commencement of proceedings; procedure.
Status: in_force

Proceedings in the court of probate may be commenced by petition or complaint to the judge of probate for the county to which the jurisdiction of the subject matter belongs, briefly setting forth the facts or grounds of the application. A summons shall be issued to the defendants in such proceedings. The manner of service, time for answering and other proceedings relating to the trial, except trial by jury, shall conform as nearly as may be to the practice in the courts of common pleas as provided in this Code.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-1100 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 9 / Section 14-23-1100
SECTION 14-23-1100. Duties of clerk.
Status: in_force

The clerk shall keep a true and fair record of each order, sentence, decree and license issued by the court, and of all other things proper to be recorded. He shall also give true and attested copies of instruments, documents and records of the court. He may execute and issue in the name of the judge of probate the following: certificates of the appointment and qualification of administrators, executors, guardians, committees and testamentary trustees; certifications pertaining to, and certified copies of wills, all probate court records, and statements or stipulations pertaining thereto; warrants of appraisements in decedents' estates including appointment of appraisers; and marriage licenses. He shall provide for the publication of the citation required by law prior to the appointment of an administrator, and for the issuance and filing in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas or of the register of mesne conveyance and the office of the county auditor the index forms required by law pertaining to the devise or descent of real property. He shall prepare and execute all forms necessary to obtain payment of insurance benefits in connection with intestate estate being administered by the probate court as provided by law. He may examine, vouch, and approve uncontested accountings, and may execute and submit requisitions and claim warrants for supplies and material needed for the operation of the court. He may take acknowledgments and administer oaths, and, subject to the control of the judge, may issue notices and make all necessary orders for the hearing of any matter to be heard in the court. If a matter is not contested, he may hear and determine it and make all orders, judgments and decrees in connection therewith which the judge could make, subject to the same being set aside or modified by the judge at any time within thirty days thereafter; and if not so set aside or modified such orders, judgments and decrees made by the clerk shall have the same effect as if made by the judge. No person shall practice as an attorney or counselor at law in the court of which he is clerk. Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude use of a computer system or related equipment by a clerk of court in performance of the duties prescribed in this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-60 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-60
SECTION 14-9-60. Appointment of county solicitor; term.
Status: in_force

Upon the establishment of any such county court the Governor, upon the recommendation of the members of the General Assembly from the county in which such county court has been established, shall appoint for such county a resident attorney at law as county solicitor, whose term of office shall continue until his successor shall have been elected by the qualified electors of the county at the next succeeding general election and until his successor qualifies. After the first term herein provided for, the term of the county solicitor shall be for four years and until the election and qualification of a successor, the qualified electors electing such successor at the general election occurring every four years.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-25-125 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 25 / Article 1 / Section 14-25-125
SECTION 14-25-125. Demand for jury trial; composition of jury.
Status: in_force

A person to be tried in a municipal court, prior to trial, may demand a jury trial, and the jury, when demanded, must be composed of six persons drawn from the jury list prepared by the jury commissioners from the latest official list furnished to the municipality by the State Election Commission each year in the manner prescribed in Section 14-25-130. The right to a jury trial shall be deemed to have been waived unless demand is made prior to trial. Editor's Note This section contains provisions dealing with matters formerly dealt with by SECTION 14-25-410.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-350 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 14-17-350
SECTION 14-17-350. Clerk shall administer oath of office to constables; failure of constable to appear.
Status: in_force

The clerk shall administer the oaths of office required by law to be taken by a constable, on his entering into bond, as prescribed, to be filed in the office of the clerk, of the sufficiency of the surety to which the clerk shall judge. The constable shall furnish a genuine signature of his name in the book prescribed, whereupon the clerk shall furnish an official certificate of such qualification. When any constable summoned in writing by the sheriff to attend court shall fail to appear, according to the summons, such default shall be noted by the clerk and such other proceedings had as in cases of jurors in default or as the court may order.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1310 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 11 / Section 14-7-1310
SECTION 14-7-1310. Foreman.
Status: in_force

The foreman of each jury, after the jury has been empanelled, may be appointed by the court or the jury may retire and choose its foreman.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-25-45 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 25 / Article 1 / Section 14-25-45
SECTION 14-25-45. Powers, duties, and jurisdiction of municipal courts.
Status: in_force

Each municipal court shall have jurisdiction to try all cases arising under the ordinances of the municipality for which established. The court shall also have all such powers, duties and jurisdiction in criminal cases made under state law and conferred upon magistrates. The court shall have the power to punish for contempt of court by imposition of sentences up to the limits imposed on municipal courts. The court shall have no jurisdiction in civil matters. Editor's Note This section contains provisions dealing with matters formerly dealt with by SECTION 14-25-970.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-13-30 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 13 / Section 14-13-30
SECTION 14-13-30. Requisition and purchase of equipment.
Status: in_force

The equipment shall be purchased through the State purchasing agency upon requisition of the reporter and approved by the clerk of the Supreme Court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-540 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 5 / Section 14-17-540
SECTION 14-17-540. Books, calendars and records to be kept by clerks.
Status: in_force

The books to be used by the several clerks, which shall be well bound and of good materials, shall be as follows: (1) A "Court of Common Pleas Journal" shall contain (a) a full account of the proceedings of court from the opening to the adjournment, excluding motions refused, (b) a short statement of each case called and the manner of its disposition and every order of reference, each under a general order as far as may be, (c) a record of the names of jurors composing each jury and all changes therein, designating the jury who may try each cause under the title thereof, together with an exact copy of their verdict, (d) whether the cause was upon trial before jury or judge or by default and if in default whether in proof or reference and all assessments, each in words at length and not in figures, (e) awards confirmed, (f) confessions of judgment during court, (g) final judgments and (h) copies of all orders passed, motions granted and other matters specially ordered by the court to be entered; (2) A "Court of General Sessions Journal" which shall be kept in a separate volume, after like manner as far as may be and including the finding of the grand juries on bills given out, with their other presentments, and sentences of the court on parties convicted; orders of escheat; fines imposed; and other matters specially ordered for entry by the court; (3) "Indexes to the Respective Journals of the Common Pleas and General Sessions" which shall be alphabetically arranged at the end of each volume and shall always be brought up by the first day of each succeeding term; (4) "Rules" in which shall be entered every case on filing the complaint, showing, in separate columns, the names of parties, plaintiff's attorney, defendant's attorney, date of filing complaint, date of answer, demurrer, replication and other pleadings and date of order for judgment; (5) "Calendars" for civil causes, sessions and contingent, to be kept in separate volumes for the use of the court and a bar calendar in a single volume, to be made on and before the meeting of the court, the calendars to be kept up as the pleadings are made up or cases occur during the term for both the court and the bar; the sessions calendar shall contain, separately arranged, cases of the previous term under the title "Traverses" and cases under the present term under the title "Calendar"; the contingent calendar shall contain, in the sessions, all the rules, bills found in which defendants have not been arrested, and cases struck off, but in which nol. pros. has not been entered, to be called on motion of the solicitor; the calendars shall show, in separate columns, the number of the cause, number of term, names of parties, cause of action, plaintiff's attorney, defendant's attorney and, in the sessions, the prosecutor's name and the race to which each person indicted in such court belongs, the order of the last court and the place for the event of suit, to be entered by the judge; (6) "Abstracts of Judgments" in which shall be entered each case wherein judgment may be signed, including each case in dower, partition and escheat, after judgment or final order, with separate columns showing the number of enrollment, names of parties, cause of action, attorney, date of judgment, amount of judgment, time of bearing interest, how judgment obtained, costs (separating attorney, clerk, sheriff, witnesses and total), kind of execution, date of issuing execution, sheriff's return thereon and satisfaction, together with an index by the names of defendants and a cross index by the names of plaintiffs, each alphabetically arranged and kept in separate volumes with the number of enrollment of judgment; (7) A "Sessions Index" by names of defendants, alphabetically arranged, together with the offense charged, disposition of the case, term when ended and number on file; (8) "Pleadings and Judgments" in which shall be entered, at length, the complaint, answer and judgment in each cause wherein judgment may have been signed and also the proceedings in dower, partition and escheat when the final order and judgment of the court shall have been had, with an index to the names of plaintiffs; provided, that such records in Edgefield County may be photostated by the clerk of court and filed for record in a loose-leaf binder; (9) "Confessions of Judgment before Clerk" in which shall be entered such proceedings kept with reference to the number of enrollment in book of abstracts, instead of page, together with an index to this particular volume in the names of defendants; (10) "Fines and Forfeitures" in which shall be entered the names of all persons fined by the court or whose recognizance may be estreated, with separate columns showing names, cause of fine, when fined, by whom fined, amount of fine, to whom due, when collected, by whom collected, why not collected, when paid over and to whom paid over; (11) "Magistrates' and Constables' Roll" in which shall be entered the name of each magistrate and constable on taking the oaths of office, representing in separate columns the names, date of qualification, office, expiration of term, a genuine signature and, in the case of a constable, the names of the sureties to his bond, with an index of each name, alphabetically arranged. (12) "Book of Orders Appointing Receivers of Judgment Debtors"; (13) "Miscellaneous Index" in which shall be entered, alphabetically, the names of all aliens who have taken any step towards naturalization; all persons concerning whom proceedings de lunatico inquirendo may be instituted; the names of aliens naturalized; certificates and papers concerning corporations; and all matters required by law to be recorded and not otherwise provided for, referring to papers on file by number and label; and (14) "A Record Book of Pardons" in which shall be recorded the names of persons pardoned in the county, arranged alphabetically, the offenses for which they were convicted, the date of conviction and the date of pardon.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-790 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 14-5-790
SECTION 14-5-790. Terms of court in thirteenth circuit.
Status: in_force

The courts of the thirteenth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided. (1) Greenville County.—(a) The court of common pleas for Greenville County shall be held at Greenville on the fourth Monday in January for four weeks, on the fourth Monday in March with two weeks for jury trials and one week for equity cases, followed by two weeks of jury trials, on the third Monday in May for two weeks, the third Monday in June for two weeks, the second Monday in September for two weeks, the second Monday in October for two weeks and the second Monday in November with three weeks for jury trials and one week for equity cases. The court of general sessions for the county shall be held at Greenville on the second Monday in January for two weeks, the second Monday in March for two weeks, the first Monday in May for two weeks, the last Monday in August for two weeks, the fourth Monday in October for two weeks and the first Monday in December for one week. (b) In addition to the terms of court hereinabove set forth, there shall be held additional terms of the court of common pleas for Greenville County to hear equity matters and any other nonjury matters, as follows: On the second Monday in January, for one week, on the second Monday in May, for one week, and on the first Tuesday in September, for one week. (c) The terms of court provided for in paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be presided over by a judge other than the resident judge of the thirteenth judicial circuit or the presiding judge regularly assigned at that time to said circuit. Such judge shall be selected by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from among the regular circuit judges or the retired circuit judges or the lawyers admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. If found at any time to be unnecessary the terms of court provided for in paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be cancelled in the manner provided by law for cancellation of other terms. (2) Pickens County. - The court of general sessions for Pickens County shall be held at Pickens on the third Monday in February for one week, the first Monday in June for one week and the fourth Monday in September for one week. The court of common pleas for said county shall be held at Pickens on the fourth Monday in February for two weeks, the second Monday in June for one week and the first Monday in October for one week.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-1130 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 9 / Section 14-23-1130
SECTION 14-23-1130. Books, office equipment, office space, support personnel; index books.
Status: in_force

The governing body of each county shall provide and the judge of probate shall keep the seal of the probate court, the necessary office equipment of the probate court, and those books as are necessary for keeping the records of the probate court and for reference to these records, including index books, appropriately labeled, referring to the records of the probate court pertaining to: 1. wills; 2. intestate estates; 3. estates of minors and incompetents; 4. bonds; 5. inventories and appraisements; 6. returns or accountings; 7. liens; 8. admissions and commitments to facilities for the care and treatment of mentally ill, persons with intellectual disability, alcoholics, and drug addicts; 9. marriage licenses and marriages; 10. decrees; 11. general or miscellaneous matters. In addition, the governing body of each county shall provide office space and additional support personnel necessary for the orderly conduct of the business of the probate court. If the probate court maintains the original of a document in the master file of a matter and a copy of that document on microfilm, a computer system, or on another similar system, it is not necessary for the probate court to maintain a second separate record with copies of those types of documents, provided a general index or an index for those types of documents is maintained.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-200 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-200
SECTION 14-9-200. Right to challenge jurors in criminal cases.
Status: in_force

In the selection of a jury for the trial of criminal cases in the county court, the accused, when charged with a misdemeanor, shall be entitled to peremptory challenges not exceeding three and the State two; and in the trial of cases of felony, the accused shall be entitled to peremptory challenges not exceeding five and the State three. When two or more persons are jointly indicted and so tried, the accused shall be jointly entitled to six peremptory challenges in cases of misdemeanor and eight peremptory challenges in cases of felony, and no more.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-180 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-180
SECTION 14-9-180. Petit jury; members; trial without a jury.
Status: in_force

When a jury is required by law in the trial of causes, civil and criminal, in a county court, such jury shall consist of six persons. All criminal cases wherein the punishment does not exceed a fine of one hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days shall be tried before the county judge without a jury, unless a trial by jury is demanded by the accused. Such cases wherein a trial by jury is not so demanded shall be carried to the foot of the calendar, to await trial by the county judge after the jury cases for the term have been disposed of.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-725 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 7 / Section 14-17-725
SECTION 14-17-725. Collection cost imposed on installment payments of fines or restitution.
Status: in_force

Where criminal fines, assessments, or restitution payments are paid through installments, a collection cost charge of three percent of the payment also must be collected by the clerk of court, magistrate, or municipal court from the defendant and transferred to the county treasurer or city treasurer, as appropriate, for deposit to credit of the county or municipal general fund.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-170 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-170
SECTION 14-7-170. Procedure in event of failure of jury commissioners to prepare list of jurors for ensuing year.
Status: in_force

When the jury commissioners in a county in this State shall omit to prepare the list of jurors for the then ensuing year or to prepare the ballots of the names and place them in the boxes at the time and in the manner required in this article, the Chief Justice, any associate justice of the Supreme Court, or any circuit judge shall grant an order on the application of any solicitor or attorney at law showing this omission by affidavit, which may be on information and belief, requiring the jury commissioners in question, within ten days after the order, to prepare these lists and ballots of names and to prepare the jury boxes (nunc pro tunc) and all juries drawn from these boxes are as valid and lawful as if the omission had not occurred.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-220 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-220
SECTION 14-9-220. Duties of county solicitor.
Status: in_force

The county solicitor shall represent the State in all cases brought before the county court wherein the State is a party and shall have the same powers and perform the same duties with reference thereto as a circuit solicitor with reference to cases brought before the court of general sessions. He shall also attend all inquests held by the coroner, aid in procuring evidence and represent the State in the examination of witnesses at such inquests. And he shall ex officio be the legal adviser of the governing body of the county without extra compensation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1720 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 15 / Section 14-7-1720
SECTION 14-7-1720. Proceedings to be secret; juror not to disclose; persons entitled to attend grand jury session; persons attending not to disclose; exceptions; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) State grand jury proceedings are secret, and a state grand juror shall not disclose the nature or substance of the deliberations or vote of the state grand jury. The only persons who may be present in the state grand jury room when a state grand jury is in session, except for deliberations and voting, are the state grand jurors, the Attorney General or his designee, the court reporter, an interpreter if necessary, and the witness testifying. A state grand juror, the Attorney General or his designee, any interpreter used, the court reporter, and any person to whom disclosure is made pursuant to subsection (B)(2) of this section may not disclose the testimony of a witness examined before a state grand jury or other evidence received by it except when directed by a court for the purpose of: (1) ascertaining whether it is consistent with the testimony given by the witness before the court in any subsequent criminal proceeding; (2) determining whether the witness is guilty of perjury; (3) assisting local, state, other state or federal law enforcement or investigating agencies, including another grand jury, in investigating crimes under their investigative jurisdiction; (4) providing the defendant the materials to which he is entitled pursuant to Section 14-7-1700; (5) complying with constitutional, statutory, or other legal requirements or to further justice. If the court orders disclosure of matters occurring before a state grand jury, the disclosure must be made in that manner, at that time, and under those conditions as the court directs. The court must grant a request made by the Attorney General pursuant to this subsection in an expedited manner so as to not interfere with or delay the operation of the state grand jury or its legal advisor when the requested disclosure is authorized by this subsection. (B) In addition, disclosure of testimony of a witness examined before a state grand jury or other evidence received by it may be made without being directed by a court to: (1) the Attorney General or his designee for use in the performance of their duties; and (2) those governmental personnel, including personnel of the State or its political subdivisions, as are considered necessary by the Attorney General or his designee to assist in the performance of their duties to enforce the criminal laws of the State; provided that any person to whom matters are disclosed under this item shall not utilize that state grand jury material for purposes other than assisting the Attorney General or his designee in the performance of their duties to enforce the criminal laws of the State. The Attorney General or his designee promptly shall provide the presiding judge before whom was impaneled the state grand jury whose material has been disclosed, the names of the persons to whom the disclosure has been made, and shall certify that he has advised these persons of their obligation of secrecy under this section. (C) Nothing in this section affects the attorney-client relationship. A client has the right to communicate to his attorney any testimony given by the client to a state grand jury, any matters involving the client discussed in the client's presence before a state grand jury, and evidence involving the client received by or proffered to a state grand jury in the client's presence. (D) Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or by a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both. (E) State grand jurors, the Attorney General or his designee, the court reporter, any interpreter used, and the clerk of the state grand jury must be sworn to secrecy and also may be punished for criminal contempt for violations of this section. Once he is sworn to secrecy, the clerk of the state grand jury is authorized, only if requested by the Attorney General or his designee, to give the oath of secrecy to members of the Attorney General's staff; experts or other individuals contracted by the Attorney General or law enforcement for assistance in a state grand jury investigation; federal, state, or local prosecutors and their staff; and federal, state, or local law enforcement officers and their staff. Once he is sworn, the clerk of the state grand jury is authorized at any time to give the oath of secrecy to members of his own staff or to the court reporter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-30 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article I / Section 14-8-30
SECTION 14-8-30. Qualifications for office.
Status: in_force

No person shall be eligible for the office of Chief Judge or associate judge of the Court who does not at the time of his election or appointment meet the qualifications for justices and judges as set forth in Article V of the Constitution of this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-90 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-90
SECTION 14-9-90. Duties and compensation of sheriff.
Status: in_force

The sheriff of the county shall attend upon all sessions of the county court and shall be subject to the orders thereof. He shall execute the orders, writs and mandates of the county court as required by law of him with reference to the circuit court. For all such service he shall receive the same compensation as is allowed by law for similar services in the circuit court; provided, that for serving each venire for the county court the sheriff shall receive the sum of ten dollars.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-15-15 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 14-15-15
SECTION 14-15-15. Court reporters employed by Judicial Department subject to removal by Department or judge only for just cause; filling vacancies.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, all court reporters employed by the Judicial Department shall be subject to removal by the judge or the Judicial Department only for just cause. In the event that a vacancy occurs in a circuit or family court judgeship, the judge who fills the vacancy shall not be empowered to replace the court reporter previously hired by his predecessor. The judge may hire a court reporter when a vacancy occurs in the court reporter's position.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-640 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 14-3-640
SECTION 14-3-640. Promulgation of rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The court may establish and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this article and to facilitate the work of the court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1920 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 17 / Section 14-7-1920
SECTION 14-7-1920. Impanelment of grand jurors; issuance and delivery of writs of venire facias.
Status: in_force

Not less than fifteen days before the convening of the first term of the court of general sessions on or after January first and July first of each year, the jury commissioners shall proceed to draw from the jury box the number of grand jurors which the clerk of court or chief administrative judge for the circuit has determined to be sufficient in order to impanel a grand jury. The grand jurors must be randomly drawn and listed as are jurors for trials, and the jury commissioners shall not disqualify or excuse any juror drawn. Immediately after these grand jurors are drawn, the clerk of court shall issue writs of venire facias for these grand jurors, requiring their attendance on the first day of the first week of criminal court in the county on or after January first or July first of each year or at such other time as the clerk of court may designate. These writs of venire facias must be delivered immediately to the sheriff of the county or otherwise served as provided by law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-80 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-80
SECTION 14-1-80. Jurisdiction of the several courts of the state, generally.
Status: in_force

These courts shall exercise the jurisdiction now vested in them respectively except as otherwise prescribed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-220 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 14-17-220
SECTION 14-17-220. Clerk shall keep constant attendance at office and discharge all duties.
Status: in_force

Every clerk shall, except on public holidays, give constant attendance, either personally or by deputy, in his office, which shall be kept in a room provided for that purpose in the courthouse. He shall discharge all the duties required by law or the rules of court, from time to time, or that may be incident to the office.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-380 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-380
SECTION 14-23-380. Effect of enrollment on appeal; execution of order or decree after notice of appeal; when enrollment must be amended or vacated.
Status: in_force

Such enrollment of any order or decree for the payment of money shall not deprive any party thereto of the right to appeal therefrom, and when notice of such appeal shall be duly given, execution upon the order or decree, issued as herein provided, shall be lodged to bind only and shall not be enforced until such appeal shall have been dismissed. If such order or decree shall be reversed, set aside or modified on appeal, the enrollment thereof shall be amended or wholly vacated accordingly.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-420 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article V / Section 14-8-420
SECTION 14-8-420. Cases not heard in period allotted.
Status: in_force

If the case on the calendar and set for hearing cannot be heard in the period allotted, the Court shall continue it to be heard after the regular call of the cases for that session or continue them until the next stated term.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-340 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 14-17-340
SECTION 14-17-340. Clerk shall administer oaths to magistrates and transmit list of magistrates' names to Secretary of State.
Status: in_force

The clerk shall administer the oaths of office required to be taken by magistrates appointed within his county, on their application, within ninety days after such appointment. On the first day of November, annually, he shall transmit a list of the names of magistrates who have qualified during the preceding year to the office of the Secretary of State at Columbia.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-218 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-218
SECTION 14-1-218. Allocation of deposits pursuant to Sections 14-1-206(C)(6), 14-1-207(C)(5) and 14-1-208(C)(5).
Status: in_force

From the deposits made pursuant to Section 14-1-206(C)(6), Section 14-1-207(C)(5), and Section 14-1-208(C)(5), three million two hundred thousand dollars shall be allocated to the following agencies for support of the programs specified: (1) five hundred thousand dollars to the Department of Juvenile Justice for the Juvenile Arbitration Program; (2) four hundred fifty thousand dollars to the Department of Juvenile Justice for the Marine Institutes; (3) five hundred thousand dollars to the Department of Juvenile Justice for the regional status offender programs; and (4) one million seven hundred fifty thousand dollars to the Office of Indigent Defense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-380 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 14-5-380
SECTION 14-5-380. Powers of judge holding court in circuit other than that of residence.
Status: in_force

Every judge while holding the circuit court for any circuit pursuant to the provisions of the law of this State shall be invested with powers equal to those of the judge of such circuit and may hear and determine all causes and motions and grant all orders in open court or at chambers which it is competent for the judge residing in such circuit to hear, determine or grant, any law, usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-300 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-300
SECTION 14-7-300. Supplying deficiency in number of jurors drawn.
Status: in_force

Whenever it is necessary to supply any deficiency in the number of grand or petit jurors duly drawn, whether caused by challenge or otherwise, the jury commissioners, under the direction of the court, shall draw from the jury box the number of jurors as the court considers necessary to fill the deficiency. Editor's Note Provisions limiting the number of persons to be drawn and summoned to serve as petit jurors, which formerly appeared in this section, can now be found in SECTION 14-7-260.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-60 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-60
SECTION 14-1-60. Rules of construction.
Status: in_force

The rule of common law that statutes in derogation of that law are to be strictly construed has no application to this Title.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-140 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 14-5-140
SECTION 14-5-140. Neglect of duty as to holding terms, disobeying order of assignment, and other violations; proceedings.
Status: in_force

If any circuit judge shall fail or neglect to hold a term of any court of general sessions or common pleas in any circuit to which he may be assigned until the business of such court shall have been disposed of or the end of the term arrives, shall fail to recognize and obey the order of assignment of the Chief Justice or presiding associate justice or shall violate any provisions of this chapter, the Attorney General shall, upon any reliable information of the same, by official communication bring such violations of this chapter to the notice of the General Assembly at its first session and such circuit judge shall be held amenable to proceedings for neglect of duty, as provided in the Constitution.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-25-25 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 25 / Article 1 / Section 14-25-25
SECTION 14-25-25. Eligibility for judgeship; vacancy in office and temporary absence.
Status: in_force

A municipal judge shall not be required to be a resident of the municipality by whom he is employed. A municipality may contract with any other municipality in the county or with the county governing body to employ the municipal judge of the other municipality or a magistrate to preside over its court. In case of a vacancy in the office of municipal judge, a successor shall be appointed in the manner of original appointment for the unexpired term. In case of the temporary absence, sickness, or disability of a municipal judge, the court shall be held by a judge of another municipality or by a practicing attorney or some other person who has received training or experience in municipal court procedure, who shall be designated by the mayor and take the prescribed oath of office before entering upon his duties. Editor's Note This section contains provisions dealing with matters formerly dealt with by SECTIONS 14-25-930 and 14-25-940.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-570 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 5 / Section 14-17-570
SECTION 14-17-570. Books and records shall remain in clerk's office; inspection; copies.
Status: in_force

The clerk shall not in any case permit either the books or records to be removed from his office, though he shall at all times permit either party to a suit, or his agent or attorney, to inspect or copy, during the pendency of suit, any papers pertaining thereto without charge or to furnish on application certified copies thereof on payment of fees per copy sheet.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-20 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 1 / Section 14-7-20
SECTION 14-7-20. Words "male" and "men" to include "female" and "women".
Status: in_force

Wherever the word "male" or "men" is used in the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to jurors and jury service such words shall include "female" and "women".
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-80 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-80
SECTION 14-9-80. Clerk of circuit court is ex officio clerk of county court; duties; compensation.
Status: in_force

The clerk of the circuit court shall be ex officio clerk of the county court, and shall keep such calendars, minutes and records of the county court and the causes therein pending, and attend and perform such duties as the clerk thereof, as is required of him by law as clerk of the circuit court. For services performed as clerk of the county court he shall receive the same compensation as if performed by him as clerk of the circuit court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-216 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-216
SECTION 14-1-216. Prohibition against assignment of family court judge to circuit court; exceptions.
Status: in_force

No active family court judge may be assigned to preside over any official proceeding in the circuit court except that the Chief Justice may appoint an active family court judge as a special circuit court judge to accept grand jury presentments and to accept and impose sentences for pleas of guilty and nolo contendere.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1950 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 17 / Section 14-7-1950
SECTION 14-7-1950. Application of other law relating to grand juries and jurors.
Status: in_force

Except for the alternative method of selecting and impaneling grand jurors as provided in this article, all other provisions of law relating to grand juries and grand jurors shall continue to apply.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-440 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 14-3-440
SECTION 14-3-440. Judgment on appeal from order granting new trial; proceedings below.
Status: in_force

Upon any appeal from an order granting a new trial on a case made, or on exceptions taken, if the Supreme Court shall determine that no error was committed in granting the new trial, it shall render judgment absolute upon the right of the appellant; and after the proceedings are remitted to the court from which the appeal was taken, an assessment of damages, or other proceedings to render the judgment effectual, may be then and there had in cases where such subsequent proceedings are requisite.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-450 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 14-3-450
SECTION 14-3-450. Effect on proceedings below of appeals regarding injunctions or receivers.
Status: in_force

In case of an appeal under item (4) of Section 14-3-330 the proceedings in other respects in the court below shall not be stayed during the pendency of such appeal unless otherwise ordered by the court below.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-360 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 14-3-360
SECTION 14-3-360. Three justices must concur to reverse a judgment.
Status: in_force

In all cases decided by the Supreme Court the concurrence of three of the justices shall be necessary for a reversal of the judgment below, subject to the provisions of Sections 14-3-370 and 14-3-380.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-2-50 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 2 / Section 14-2-50
SECTION 14-2-50. Time when certain courts and offices abolished.
Status: in_force

County courts and other similar courts with jurisdiction inferior to the circuit courts and the office of standing master shall be abolished on July 1, 1979, and the jurisdiction of the office devolved upon the unified court system; provided, however, that such county courts, other courts of similar jurisdiction and the office of standing master shall be continued pursuant to Section 22 of Article V of the Constitution until July 1, 1979, subject, however, to the provisions of Article XI, Section 2 of 1976 Act No. 690; provided, further, that the General Assembly prior to July 1, 1979, shall provide sufficient judicial manpower to assure adequate staffing for the unified court system as provided by this act. The offices of master-in-equity and special referee shall continue to be a part of the judicial system. Editor's Note 1976 Act No. 690 adds new Code SECTIONS 1-7-325, 1-7-405, 1-7-570 to 1-7-670, 14-2-10 et seq., 14-21-410 to 14-21-500, and 14-23-1010 to 14-23-1150; amends existing Code SECTIONS 14-5-610, 14-21-140, 14-21-510, 14-21-1020, and 22-3-10; and contains sections appearing as Editor's Notes at Chapter 9 of Title 14, Chapter 11 of Title 14, Chapter 13 of Title 15, and SECTIONS 14-2-10, 14-2-20, 14-21-410 and 14-21-425.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-390 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 14-5-390
SECTION 14-5-390. Jurisdiction of judge within circuit wherein he resides.
Status: in_force

Every circuit judge in this State shall at all times have jurisdiction to discharge and perform all the duties of his office within the circuit wherein he resides, except the holding of circuit courts therein when some other circuit judge shall be engaged in holding such courts.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-210 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-210
SECTION 14-23-210. Appointment of times and places for holding courts; notice to interested parties.
Status: in_force

Except as provided in Section 14-23-10 the probate court in each county shall appoint such times and places for holding court or for hearing any special matter as shall be judged most convenient for all persons interested and shall give notice of such times and places to the parties interested. Editor's Note This section should be read in conjunction with SECTION 14-23-1010.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-580 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 5 / Section 14-17-580
SECTION 14-17-580. Clerk is responsible for books, papers, and other property; transfer to successor.
Status: in_force

Every clerk shall be held responsible for the books, papers and furniture in his office. Upon his retiring from office or upon his death, he or his representative shall be bound to transfer the same to his successor immediately after such successor has entered upon the duties of his office, under a penalty of one thousand dollars and imprisonment not exceeding one year for failure so to do.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-1120 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 9 / Section 14-23-1120
SECTION 14-23-1120. Court of record; seal.
Status: in_force

The court of probate shall be a court of record and shall have a seal bearing the name of such court, which seal shall be impressed upon all orders, decrees and licenses issued by such court. Except as otherwise provided by law, the records of the court of probate shall at all times be subject to inspection by any person interested therein.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-220 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-220
SECTION 14-23-220. Court open at all times for certain business.
Status: in_force

The probate court shall be deemed open at all times for the transaction of ordinary business which may be necessary, when previous notice is not required to be given to the persons interested. Editor's Note This section should be read in conjunction with SECTION 14-23-1010.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-450 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article V / Section 14-8-450
SECTION 14-8-450. Court not limited to places designated by law for holding court.
Status: in_force

The Court may be held in other buildings than those designated by law as places for holding courts and at a different place, at the same city, from that at which it is appointed to be held. Any one or more of the judges may adjourn the court with the like affect as if all were present.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-10 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 14-5-10
SECTION 14-5-10. Circuit courts are courts of record; public inspection of records.
Status: in_force

The circuit courts herein established shall be courts of record, and the books of record thereof shall, at all times, be subject to the inspection of any person interested therein.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-200 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 14-5-200
SECTION 14-5-200. Compensation of special judge.
Status: in_force

The special judge shall be allowed for his services per diem of one hundred ($100.00) dollars and his necessary expenses and the same per diem for not exceeding five days for the preparation of his decrees.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-220 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-220
SECTION 14-1-220. Transmittal of monies received from cost of court assessments; deposit of funds collected from offenders in restitution centers.
Status: in_force

Each city recorder, mayor, or municipal clerk of court or other person who receives monies from the cost of court assessments in criminal or traffic cases in the municipal courts shall transmit all these monies to the Office of State Treasurer. Each county clerk of court, magistrate, or other person who receives monies from the cost of court assessments in general sessions or magistrates courts shall transmit all these monies to the county treasurer of the county. These transmittals must be made no less frequently than once each month, and must be completed on or before the fifteenth day of the month following the month being reported. The municipal clerk of court or county treasurer shall then forward the total sum collected to the State Treasurer on or before the twenty-fifth day of the month. Any municipality in this State may enter into a mutual agreement with the county in which it is located to provide for joint collections and transmittals under those terms and conditions as the respective bodies may agree. In these cases, receipts and transmittals required by this section shall reflect, in the report of transmittal to the State Treasurer, the collection and forwarding of all monies from the named sources. The Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services shall deposit with the State Treasurer funds collected from offenders in restitution centers for credit to the same account as funds collected under Section 14-1-210.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-270 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article III / Section 14-8-270
SECTION 14-8-270. Appeal from interlocutory orders involving injunctions.
Status: in_force

In case of an appeal from an interlocutory order or decree in the Court of General Sessions, granting, continuing, modifying, or refusing an injunction, the proceedings in other respects in the court below shall not be stayed during the pendency of such appeal unless otherwise ordered by the court below.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-950 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 9 / Section 14-3-950
SECTION 14-3-950. Submission of rules governing practice and procedure to General Assembly; approval.
Status: in_force

All rules and amendments to rules governing practice and procedure in all courts of this State promulgated by the Supreme Court shall be submitted by the Supreme Court to the Judiciary Committee of each House of the General Assembly during a regular session, but not later than the first day of February during each session. Such rules or amendments shall become effective ninety calendar days after submission unless disapproved by concurrent resolution of the General Assembly, with the concurrence of three-fifths of the members of each House present and voting.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-330 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 14-5-330
SECTION 14-5-330. Oaths and affirmations.
Status: in_force

The circuit court may administer all necessary oaths or affirmations.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-110 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-110
SECTION 14-9-110. Court of record; presumptions favoring jurisdiction and validity of judgments.
Status: in_force

The county court shall be a court of record and the same presumption in favor of its jurisdiction and the validity of its judgments shall be indulged as in the case of judgments rendered by the circuit court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-11-120 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 14-11-120
SECTION 14-11-120. Admission of deposition in evidence.
Status: in_force

The deposition so taken may be read in evidence at the hearing, subject to the right of either party upon good cause shown to require the personal attendance and viva voce examination of the witness at the hearing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-10 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 14-3-10
SECTION 14-3-10. Composition of court and election of justices; term.
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief Justice and four associate justices, who shall be elected by a joint viva voce vote of the General Assembly for a term of ten years and shall continue in office until their successors are elected and qualified. They shall be so classified that one of them shall go out of office every two years. The successors of the Chief Justice and associate justices shall each be elected at the session of the General Assembly next preceding the expiration of their respective terms. The time for the commencement of their terms of office shall be the first day of August after their election.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-90 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article I / Section 14-8-90
SECTION 14-8-90. When the Court may sit en banc.
Status: in_force

(a) The Court may sit en banc to hear cases upon: (1) petition by a party filed in accordance with rules promulgated by the Supreme Court if the petition is granted by six judges of the Court; or (2) its own motion agreed to by six judges of the Court. (b) When the Court sits en banc, six of the judges constitute a quorum and a concurrence of six of the judges is necessary for a reversal of the judgment below. The Chief Judge shall preside, and in his absence the judge senior in service and present shall preside. Editor's Note 1985 Act No. 105, SECTION 3, provides as follows: "Notwithstanding the provisions of Act 90 of 1983 which provide for the manner in which Sections 14-8-90 and 14-8-250 of the 1976 Code shall read effective July 1, 1985, these sections, as amended by the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this act respectively, shall continue to read in the manner provided herein after July 1, 1985."
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-10 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 14-17-10
SECTION 14-17-10. Election for clerk of court of common pleas.
Status: in_force

There shall be an election for clerk of the court of common pleas in each county by the qualified voters thereof at each alternate general election, reckoning from the election in the year 1960.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-29-20 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 29 / Section 14-29-20
SECTION 14-29-20. Purpose of chapter.
Status: in_force

The General Assembly recognizes the success of various other states' veterans court initiatives in rehabilitating certain nonviolent offenders who are veterans of a military conflict in which the United States military is or has been involved. The purpose of this chapter is to divert qualifying nonviolent military veteran offenders away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate treatment programs, thereby reserving prison space for violent criminals and others for whom incarceration is the only reasonable alternative.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-140 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-140
SECTION 14-1-140. Persons attending court exempt from arrest; mileage allowed per day.
Status: in_force

All persons necessarily going to, attending on, or returning from, the courts of record of this State shall be free from arrest, except on criminal process for treason, felony or breach of the peace. Thirty miles per day shall be allowed such persons for travelling.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-1070 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 9 / Section 14-23-1070
SECTION 14-23-1070. Appointment of deputies; powers.
Status: in_force

Each judge of probate may from time to time appoint a deputy to act in his stead during his temporary absence, and in evidence of such appointment shall issue an order which shall be filed and recorded as herein provided. Each deputy so appointed shall have power, during the temporary absence of the judge of probate, to perform all the duties of his office; and all such acts, judgments, decrees, orders and licenses shall be done and issued in the name of the judge of probate by his deputy and when so done and issued shall have the same force and effect in law as if done and issued by the judge of probate. The judge of probate shall be accountable and responsible for all acts of his deputy within the scope of his duties, and may, at his pleasure, by order, remove any such deputy. All orders appointing or removing such deputy shall be recorded and indexed in the office of the judge of probate in a book to be kept for that purpose, available for public inspection.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-130 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-130
SECTION 14-9-130. Jurisdiction and powers of judge.
Status: in_force

As to all cases and special proceedings within the jurisdiction of the county court and pending therein the county judge of the county shall have the same jurisdiction with reference thereto, both in open court and at chambers, as is possessed by circuit judges over cases pending in the circuit courts over which they are presiding or in the circuits in which they are resident.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-27-10 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 27 / Section 14-27-10
SECTION 14-27-10. Creation of Judicial Council.
Status: in_force

There is hereby created a Judicial Council, to be known as the Judicial Council of the State of South Carolina.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-930 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 14-5-930
SECTION 14-5-930. Call of special terms by resident judge; designation of judge to hold court.
Status: in_force

The resident judge of each judicial circuit in this State shall have the same right and power at chambers to order special terms of the circuit court, general sessions and common pleas, as is by this article given to presiding judges. Such courts, when ordered, shall be held by the resident judge unless another judge is assigned to hold the same by the Chief Justice as provided in Section 14-5-920 for presiding judges, and such courts, when ordered, shall be governed by the same procedure as other courts called pursuant to this article and subject to all its provisions.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-1140 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 9 / Section 14-23-1140
SECTION 14-23-1140. Rules and regulations governing practice, procedure, and conduct of business.
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court shall have the power by rule to regulate the practice, procedure, and conduct of business in the courts of probate. Provided, however, that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities may by rule and regulation prescribe the form of admission documents to facilities of the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-590 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 5 / Section 14-17-590
SECTION 14-17-590. Receipt for books, papers, and furniture of office.
Status: in_force

Before surrendering such books, papers and furniture, the clerk so retiring from office or his representative shall be entitled to require from such successor, who, under like penalty, shall be bound to execute the same, a receipt in writing therefor which shall specify the number, title and condition of every book, the number of records, as appears by the enrollment, and such other classification as it may be convenient to adopt from the arrangement of the office, all the packages of papers in office and the description and condition of each article of furniture. A duplicate of such receipt shall also be given and shall, by the clerk so retiring from office or his representatives, be filed in the office of the governing body of the county and every clerk having retired from office or his representative shall be liable to an action, in the name of the county, for damages to any books, papers and furniture which shall be proven to have been in his possession and shall not appear, by such receipt, to have been transferred to his successors or, having been so transferred, shall appear to have been, through neglect, injured during his continuance in office.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1760 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 15 / Section 14-7-1760
SECTION 14-7-1760. Evidence given or information derived from evidence not to be received against witness in criminal prosecution; waiver of immunity; perjury.
Status: in_force

If any person asks to be excused from testifying before a state grand jury or from producing any books, papers, records, correspondence, or other documents before a state grand jury on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to any penalty or forfeiture and is notwithstanding directed by the presiding judge to give the testimony or produce the evidence, he must comply with this direction, but no testimony so given or other information produced, or any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony or such other information, may be received against him in any criminal action, criminal investigation, or criminal proceeding. No individual testifying or producing evidence or documents is exempt from prosecution or punishment for any perjury committed by him while so testifying, and the testimony or evidence given or produced is admissible against him upon any criminal action, criminal investigation, or criminal proceeding concerning this perjury; provided that any individual may execute, acknowledge, and file a statement with the appropriate court expressly waiving immunity or privilege in respect to any testimony or evidence given or produced and thereupon the testimony or evidence given or produced may be received or produced before any judge or justice, court, tribunal, grand jury, or otherwise, and if so received or produced, the individual is not entitled to any immunity or privilege on account of any testimony he may give or evidence produced.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-150 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-150
SECTION 14-9-150. Laws which apply generally to circuit courts also apply to county courts.
Status: in_force

All general laws and statutory provisions applying generally to the circuit courts of this State and trials of causes therein shall apply to the county court and the conduct and trial of causes therein when not inconsistent with any of the provisions of this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1790 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 15 / Section 14-7-1790
SECTION 14-7-1790. Employment of experts by state grand jury.
Status: in_force

A state grand jury, whenever it considers necessary, may employ experts to assist it and fix the amount of compensation or per diem to be paid therefor, upon the approval of the presiding judge as to the amount being given before any expert is employed and upon appropriation of sufficient funds therefor by the General Assembly as provided in Section 14-7-1780.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-25-130 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 25 / Article 1 / Section 14-25-130
SECTION 14-25-130. Preparation of jury list from electronic file of persons holding valid South Carolina driver's license or identification card.
Status: repealed

In September of each year, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall furnish the State Election Commission an electronic file of the name, address, date of birth, social security number, sex, and race of persons who are over the age of eighteen years and citizens of the United States residing in each municipality who hold a valid South Carolina driver's license or an identification card issued pursuant to state law. The electronic file also must include persons who have obtained a valid South Carolina driver's license or identification card during the previous year and exclude persons whose driver's license or identification card has not been renewed or has been invalidated by judicial or administrative action. In October of each year, the State Election Commission shall furnish a jury list to municipal jury commissioners consisting of a file or list derived by merging the list of registered voters in the municipality with municipal residents appearing on the file furnished by the department, but only those licensed drivers and identification cardholders who are eligible to register to vote may be included in the list. Before furnishing the list, the commission must make every effort to eliminate duplicate names and names of persons disqualified from registering to vote or voting pursuant to the laws and Constitution of this State. As furnished to the jury commissioners by the State Election Commission, the list or file constitutes the roll of eligible jurors in the municipality. Expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the State Election Commission in implementing this section must be borne by these agencies. Editor's Note Former SECTION 14-25-130, entitled "Procedure on trial of appeal", was repealed by 1980 Act No. 480, SECTION 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-420 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-420
SECTION 14-23-420. Recording satisfaction of execution.
Status: in_force

When any such execution has been duly returned satisfied to the office of the judge of probate from whence it issued, the judge of such court of probate shall have such satisfaction recorded upon the proper transcript in the office of the clerk of the circuit court and entered upon the docket thereof on the calendar of judgments of the court of common pleas kept in said clerk's office.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-11-10 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 14-11-10
SECTION 14-11-10. Establishment of master-in-equity court.
Status: in_force

As a part of the unified judicial system, there is established in each of the counties of this State having a population of at least one hundred thirty thousand, according to the latest official United States Decennial Census, a master-in-equity court. The master-in-equity for the court must be appointed pursuant to the provisions of Section 14-11-20. Nothing in this section prohibits a county or area with a population of less than one hundred thirty thousand, according to the latest official United States Decennial Census, from having a part-time master-in-equity. The governing bodies of any two or more counties may join together to fund the office of master-in-equity to serve two or more counties. Funding of this master-in-equity must be borne by each county included on a per capita population basis.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-212 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-212
SECTION 14-1-212. Surcharges on fines; distribution.
Status: in_force

(A) In addition to all other assessments and surcharges, a twenty-five dollar surcharge is imposed on all fines, forfeitures, escheatments, or other monetary penalties imposed in the general sessions court or in magistrates or municipal court for misdemeanor traffic offenses or for nontraffic violations. No portion of the surcharge may be waived, reduced, or suspended. (B)(1) The revenue collected pursuant to subsection (A) must be retained by the jurisdiction which heard or processed the case and paid to the State Treasurer within thirty days after receipt. The State Treasurer may retain in a fiscal year the actual cost associated with the collection of this surcharge not to exceed forty thousand dollars. The State Treasurer shall allocate and transfer quarterly the remaining revenue as follows: (a) 18.50 percent to the Prosecution Coordination Commission for allocations to circuit solicitors in the manner provided pursuant to this subsection for the operations of solicitors' offices, a portion of which, at the option of a solicitor, may be used for drug courts in the judicial circuit; (b) 22.10 percent to the Department of Juvenile Justice for the Coastal Evaluation Center, for Assault Prevention, and other federal lawsuit related expenses; (c) 15 percent to the State Law Enforcement Division for its general purposes; (d) 15 percent to the Department of Corrections for its general purposes; (e) 3.75 percent to the Office of the Attorney General for its general purposes; (f) 8.56 percent to the Judicial Department for its general purposes; (g) 1.55 percent to the Department of Natural Resources for statewide police responsibilities; (h) 1 percent to the Office of Indigent Defense, Division of Appellate Defense for its general purposes; (i) 0.10 percent to the Forestry Commission for statewide police responsibilities; and (j) 14.44 percent to the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol Division for equipment, vehicle purchases, and associated vehicle expenses, including maintenance and gasoline. (2) The State Treasurer shall transmit the portion of these funds earmarked for the solicitors' offices to the Prosecution Coordination Commission which then shall apportion these funds among the circuit solicitors of this State on a per capita basis equal to the population in that circuit compared to the population of the State as a whole based on the most recent official United States Census. Amounts generated by this section for use by solicitors' offices must be in addition to any amounts presently being provided by the county for these services and may not be used to supplant funding already allocated for these services by the county. (C) The State Treasurer may request the State Auditor to examine the financial records of any jurisdiction which he believes is not timely transmitting the funds required to be paid to the State Treasurer pursuant to subsection (B). The State Auditor is further authorized to conduct these examinations and the local jurisdiction is required to participate in and cooperate fully with the examination.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-160 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 14-5-160
SECTION 14-5-160. Assignment of disengaged circuit judge to fill vacancy.
Status: in_force

Whenever any circuit judge, pending his assignment to hold the courts of any circuit, shall die, resign, be disabled by illness or be excused for any other reason considered sufficient in the opinion of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or in case of a vacancy in the office of circuit judge of any circuit or if a special session of the court of general sessions or common pleas be ordered as provided for in Sections 14-5-910 to 14-5-950, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may assign any other disengaged circuit judge to hold the courts of any such circuit, to fill any appointment made necessary by such vacancy or to hold any special session of the circuit court that may be ordered by the Chief Justice.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-310 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-310
SECTION 14-23-310. Judge may punish for contempt.
Status: in_force

The judge may keep order in court and punish any contempt of his authority in like manner as such contempt might be punished in the circuit or Supreme Court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-15-70 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 14-15-70
SECTION 14-15-70. Stenographer for special term of court.
Status: in_force

The presiding judge at any special term of the circuit court may, when the official stenographer is performing the duties of his office at a court then being held in some other county of the circuit, appoint a stenographer for such term of the court who shall perform the duties of the office of court stenographer for such term.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-27-100 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 27 / Section 14-27-100
SECTION 14-27-100. Receipt and expenditure of funds.
Status: in_force

The Council may receive and expend funds received as grants, appropriations or gifts from foundations or any other source in connection with the duties of the Judicial Council, including studies and surveys looking towards the improvement of the administration of justice.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-290 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article III / Section 14-8-290
SECTION 14-8-290. Powers of judge at chambers.
Status: in_force

Each of the judges of the Court shall have the same power at chambers to administer oaths, issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto, certiorari and prohibition and interlocutory writs or orders of injunction as when in open court. An appeal shall be allowed from the decision of any such judge of the Court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-211 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-211
SECTION 14-1-211. General Sessions Court surcharge; fund retention for crime victim services; unused funds; reports; audits.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) In addition to all other assessments and surcharges, a one hundred dollar surcharge is imposed on all convictions obtained in general sessions court and a twenty-five dollar surcharge is imposed on all convictions obtained in magistrates and municipal courts in this State. The surcharge may not be imposed on convictions for misdemeanor traffic offenses including, but not limited to, violations of Sections 56-3-1970, 56-5-2510, and 56-5-2530, or another state law, municipal ordinance, or county ordinance restricting parking in a prohibited zone or in a parking place clearly designated for handicapped persons. However, the surcharge applies to all violations of Section 56-5-2930 and Section 56-5-2933. No portion of the surcharge may be waived, reduced, or suspended. (2) In addition to all other assessments and surcharges, a one hundred dollar surcharge is imposed on all convictions pursuant to Section 56-5-2930 and Section 56-5-2933. No portion of the surcharges imposed pursuant to this section may be waived, reduced, or suspended. (B) The revenue collected pursuant to subsection (A)(1) must be retained by the jurisdiction which heard or processed the case and paid to the city or county treasurer, for the purpose of providing services for the victims of crime, including those required by law. Any funds retained by the county or city treasurer pursuant to subsection (A)(1) must be deposited into a separate account for the exclusive use for all activities related to the requirements contained in this provision. For the purpose of funds allocation and expenditure, these funds are a part of the general funds of the city or county. These funds must be appropriated for the exclusive purpose of providing victim services as required by Chapter 3, Article 15 of Title 16; specifically, those service requirements that are imposed on local law enforcement, local detention facilities, prosecutors, and the summary courts. First priority must be given to those victims' assistance programs which are required by Chapter 3, Article 15 of Title 16 and second priority must be given to programs which expand victims' services beyond those required by Chapter 3, Article 15 of Title 16. These funds must be used for, but are not limited to, salaries, equipment that includes computer equipment and internet access, or other expenditures necessary for providing services to crime victims. All unused funds must be carried forward from year to year and used exclusively for the provision of services to the victims of crime. All unused funds must be separately identified in the governmental entity's adopted budget as funds unused and carried forward from previous years. The revenue collected pursuant to subsection (A)(2) must be paid over to the State Treasurer monthly and placed in a separate account to be used for spinal cord research by the Medical University of South Carolina. All one-time operating and administrative costs for municipal and county governments related to computer upgrades or programming related to these surcharges shall be deducted from the revenue collected pursuant to subsection (A)(2) by municipal and county governments before remission of these funds to the State Treasurer. All operating, personnel, and administrative costs and expenses of the Spinal Cord Injury Research Board and its programs as established in Article 5, Chapter 38 of Title 44, must be paid for through revenue collected pursuant to subsection (A)(2) and deposited in this separate account. A report detailing the use of these funds must be furnished to the General Assembly on an annual basis. (C) The surcharged revenue retained by the general sessions court, magistrate's, or municipal courts in this State pursuant to subsection (B) must be reported by the city or county treasurer to the State Treasurer monthly. All unused funds must be carried forward from year to year and used exclusively for the provision of services to the victims of crime. All unused funds must be separately identified in the governmental entity's adopted budget as funds unused and carried forward from previous years. (D) To ensure that surcharges imposed pursuant to this section are properly collected and remitted to the city or county treasurer, the annual independent external audit required to be performed for each municipality pursuant to Section 5-7-240 and each county pursuant to Section 4-9-150 must include a review of the accounting controls over the collection, reporting, and distribution of surcharges from the point of collection to the point of distribution and a supplementary schedule detailing all surcharges collected at the court level, and the amount remitted to the municipality or county. (1) The supplementary schedule must include the following elements: (a) all surcharges collected by the clerk of court for the general sessions, magistrate's, or municipal court; (b) the amount of surcharges retained by the city or county treasurer pursuant to this section; (c) the amount of funds allocated to victim services by fund source; and (d) how those funds were expended, and any carry forward balances. (2) The supplementary schedule must be included in the external auditor's report by an "in relation to" paragraph as required by generally accepted auditing standards when information accompanies the basic financial statements in auditor submitted documents. Editor's Note 1998 Act No. 343, SECTION 1.H., effective June 8, 1998, provides as follows: "This section does not affect an action or proceeding commenced or a right accrued before the effective date of this act." 2000 Act No. 390, SECTION 34, provides as follows: "Except for SECTIONS 9, 31, and 32, the provisions of this act shall not take effect until the later of the following dates: January 1, 2001, or when the Chief of SLED certifies to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that all breath test sites in the State have been equipped with video cameras so that a person's conduct may be videotaped pursuant to Section 56-5-2953(A)(2). SECTION 9 becomes effective March 1, 2002, and applies to all pending cases that have not been adjudicated on the date the law goes into effect. SECTIONS 31 and 32 become effective upon approval by the Governor." SECTION 14-1-211.5. Training and technical assistance. The Department of Crime Victim Assistance Grants shall offer training and technical assistance to each municipality and county annually on the acceptable use of both priority one and priority two funds and funds available for competitive bid. SECTION 14-1-211.6. Crime victim funds; programmatic review and financial audit; cooperation with audit. (A) If the State Auditor finds that any county treasurer, municipal treasurer, county clerk of court, magistrate, or municipal court has not properly allocated revenue generated from court fines, fines, and assessments to the crime victim funds or has not properly expended crime victim funds, pursuant to Sections 14-1-206(B) and (D), 14-1-207(B) and (D), 14-1-208(B) and (D), and 14-1-211(B), the State Auditor shall notify the Office of the Attorney General, South Carolina Crime Victim Services Division. The division is authorized to conduct an audit, which must include both a programmatic review and financial audit of any entity or nonprofit organization receiving victim assistance funding, based on the referrals from the State Auditor or complaints of a specific nature received by the division to ensure that crime victim funds are expended in accordance with the law. Guidelines for the expenditure of these funds shall be developed in collaboration with the Victim Services Coordinating Council. The Victim Services Coordinating Council, in collaboration with the director of the division, shall develop these guidelines to ensure any expenditure that meets the parameters of Article 15, Chapter 3, Title 16 is an allowable expenditure. (B) Any local entity or nonprofit organization that receives funding from revenue generated from crime victim funds is required to submit their budget for the expenditure of these funds to the Office of the Attorney General, South Carolina Crime Victim Services Division within thirty days of the budget's approval by the governing body of the entity or nonprofit organization. Failure to comply with this provision shall cause the division to initiate a programmatic review and a financial audit of the entity's or nonprofit organization's expenditures of victim assistance funds. Additionally, the division will place the name of the noncompliant entity or nonprofit organization on its website, where it shall remain until such time as the noncompliant entity or nonprofit organization is in compliance with the terms of this section. (C) Any entity or nonprofit organization receiving victim assistance funding must cooperate and provide expenditure and program data requested by the division. If the division finds an error, the entity or nonprofit organization has ninety days to rectify the error. An error constitutes an entity or nonprofit organization spending victim assistance funding on unauthorized items as determined by the division. If the entity or nonprofit organization fails to cooperate with the programmatic review and financial audit or to rectify the error within ninety days, the division shall assess and collect a penalty in the amount of the unauthorized expenditure plus fifteen hundred dollars against the entity or nonprofit organization for improper expenditures. This penalty which includes the fifteen hundred dollars must be paid within thirty days of the notification by the division to the entity or nonprofit organization that the entity or nonprofit organization is in noncompliance with the provisions of this section. All penalties received by the division shall be credited to the general fund of the State. If the penalty is not received by the division within thirty days of the notification, the political subdivision must deduct the amount of the penalty from the entity's or nonprofit organization's subsequent fiscal year appropriation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1020 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 9 / Section 14-7-1020
SECTION 14-7-1020. Jurors may be examined by court; if juror is not indifferent, he must be set aside.
Status: in_force

The court shall, on motion of either party in the suit, examine on oath any person who is called as a juror to know whether he is related to either party, has any interest in the cause, has expressed or formed any opinion, or is sensible of any bias or prejudice therein, and the party objecting to the juror may introduce any other competent evidence in support of the objection. If it appears to the court that the juror is not indifferent in the cause, he must be placed aside as to the trial of that cause and another must be called.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-160 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-160
SECTION 14-1-160. Breach of peace within hearing of court.
Status: in_force

When any affray shall happen during the sitting of any court within this State and within the hearing or to the disturbance of the court, the court shall order the sheriff or other lawful officer to take the affrayers or other disturbers of the peace or those guilty of contempt and bring the offenders before the court and the court shall make such order thereon as may be consistent with law, justice and good order.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-690 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 5 / Section 14-23-690
SECTION 14-23-690. Successor to issue receipt for books, papers, and property of retiring judge.
Status: in_force

Before surrendering such books, papers and furniture the retiring judge of probate, or his representatives, shall be entitled to require a receipt therefor from such successor. Such receipt shall specify the number and title of every book and the number and description of every article of furniture, together with the order and condition of the books, papers and furniture. A duplicate of such receipt shall also be given, and shall by the retiring judge of probate or his representatives, be filed in the office of the clerk of the court of the county.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-217 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-217
SECTION 14-1-217. Exemption from filing fees in actions brought pursuant to Sexually Violent Predator Act.
Status: in_force

The State, or a person or entity acting on behalf of the State, is not required to pay filing fees as provided in this chapter or as otherwise provided by law in proceedings brought pursuant to Chapter 48 of Title 44, the Sexually Violent Predator Act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-250 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 14-17-250
SECTION 14-17-250. General powers of clerks; proceedings under orders to be filed.
Status: reserved

Clerks may administer oaths and take depositions, affidavits and renunciations of dower. The clerk of any county in which the office of master does not exist may, by consent of parties, sign orders of reference in vacation and may also, upon proper proceedings filed, grant orders for the partition of real or personal estate and for the admeasurement of dower in cases where the right of partition or dower is not contested or the same has been ascertained by a decree of the court. All proceedings under such orders shall be filed at the next succeeding term of the court for the adjudication of the presiding judge, until which adjudication all equities of the parties shall be reserved.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-15-10 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 14-15-10
SECTION 14-15-10. Appointment, term, and removal of court stenographer.
Status: in_force

There shall be at least one court stenographer for each judicial circuit of the State, who shall be appointed by the circuit judge of the respective circuits for a period not exceeding the term for which the circuit judge making the appointment was elected, and such court stenographer shall be subject to removal by the circuit judge making the appointment.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-29-10 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 29 / Section 14-29-10
SECTION 14-29-10. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the "Veterans Treatment Court Program Act".
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-60 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article I / Section 14-8-60
SECTION 14-8-60. Vacancies.
Status: in_force

All vacancies in the Court shall be filled in the manner of original election; provided, that if the unexpired term does not exceed one year such vacancy may be filled by executive appointment. When a vacancy is filled, the judge selected shall hold office only for the unexpired term of his predecessor.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-370 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-370
SECTION 14-7-370. Penalty for neglect of duty in drawing and summoning jurors.
Status: in_force

When, by neglect of any of the duties required by this article to be performed by any of the officers or persons mentioned, the jurors to be returned from any place are not duly drawn and summoned to attend the court, every person guilty of neglect shall pay a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, to be imposed by the court, to the use of the county in which the offense was committed. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION14-7-370 was titled Draft from tales box, and had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 38-74; 1952 Code SECTION 38-74; 1942 Code SECTION 615; 1932 Code SECTION 615; Civ. P. '22 SECTION 555; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 4024; 1902 (23) 1066; omitted by 1986 Act No 340, SECTION 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-160 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-160
SECTION 14-7-160. Drawing and notification of jurors.
Status: in_force

At the time provided by law for the drawing of jurors, the jury commissioners shall randomly withdraw from the jury box one capsule or container for each juror required by law to be drawn. The jury commissioners shall then open each capsule or container drawn and ascertain the number contained therein. The names of the jurors drawn must be taken from the jury list by the numbers thereon corresponding to the numbers drawn from the capsules or containers. The jury commissioners may not excuse or disqualify any juror selected. Immediately after the jurors are drawn, the clerk of court shall issue his writ and process as now required by law for the jurors whose numbers were drawn. Any juror drawn for a term of court must be notified of the time and place he is to appear for jury duty at least fifteen days before he is to appear and serve as a juror. If the trial judge determines that additional jurors are immediately necessary for the conduct of the court he may waive the fifteen-day notice. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION14-7-160 was titled Names from jury list shall be placed in jury box, and had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 38-55; 1952 Code SECTION 38-55; 1942 Code SECTION 608; 1932 Code SECTION 608; Civ. P. '22 SECTION 548; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 4017; 1902 (23) 1066; 1915 (29) 76; 1933 (38) 446; 1939 (41) 27, 332, 543; 1941 (42) 70; omitted by 1986 Act No. 340, SECTION 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-340 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 14-3-340
SECTION 14-3-340. Reference of issues of fact to jury or referee; appointment of referees.
Status: in_force

Whenever in the course of any action or proceeding in the Supreme Court arising in the exercise of the original jurisdiction conferred upon the court by the Constitution and laws of the State an issue of fact shall arise upon the pleadings or when an issue of fact shall arise upon a traverse to return in mandamus, prohibition or certiorari, or whenever the determination of any question of fact shall be necessary to the exercise of the jurisdiction conferred upon the Supreme Court, the court may frame an issue therein and certify the same to the circuit court for the county wherein the cause shall have originated or in case of original jurisdiction to the circuit court of the county in which the cause of action shall have arisen. The Supreme Court shall also have the same powers as are now possessed by the circuit courts of the State for the appointment of referees to take testimony and report thereon, under such instructions as may be prescribed by the court, in any cases arising in the Supreme Court wherein issues of fact shall arise.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-25-105 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 25 / Article 1 / Section 14-25-105
SECTION 14-25-105. Municipal judge to make return to Court of Common Pleas in event of appeal; no appeal de novo.
Status: in_force

In the event of an appeal, the municipal judge shall make a return to the Court of Common Pleas, and the appeal must be heard by the presiding judge upon the return. The return of the municipal judge shall consist of a written report of the charges preferred, the testimony, the proceedings, and the sentence or judgment. When the testimony has been taken by a reporter as provided herein, the return shall include the reporter's transcript of the testimony. The return must be filed with the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the trial was held and the cause must be placed on the motion calendar for the Court of Common Pleas. There shall be no trial de novo on any appeal from a municipal court. Editor's Note This section contains provisions dealing with matters formerly dealt with by SECTION 14-25-1010.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-390 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-390
SECTION 14-23-390. Index of enrolled money decrees.
Status: in_force

Every judge of probate shall provide and keep in his office an index of money decrees, in which every enrolled order or decree for the payment of money shall be entered, with the names of every party or estate bound thereby, alphabetically arranged, together with the names of the parties plaintiff, and which, beside the title of the package in which the order or decree is contained and the number in the package, shall exhibit the amount ordered to be paid, the costs (if any), date of enrollment, date of execution and date of satisfaction when satisfaction has been entered. Such book shall be of convenient size, of durable paper and well bound, and the expense of providing the same shall be defrayed by the governing bodies of the respective counties.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-60 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 14-23-60
SECTION 14-23-60. Clerk of court shall act until vacancy filled.
Status: in_force

In case of any such vacancy the clerk of the circuit court of the county shall take charge of the office and all papers therein, discharge the same duties, receive the same fees and be subject to the same liabilities as by law provided for a judge of probate, until such vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Governor or by an election, as the case may be.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-240 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-240
SECTION 14-1-240. Surcharge on certain misdemeanor traffic offenses or nontraffic violations to fund training at South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.
Status: in_force

Section terminates June 30, 2016. (A) In addition to all other assessments and surcharges required to be imposed by law, a five dollar surcharge to fund training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy is also levied on all fines, forfeitures, escheatments, or other monetary penalties imposed in the general sessions court or in magistrates or municipal court for misdemeanor traffic offenses or for nontraffic violations. No portion of this surcharge may be waived, reduced, or suspended. The additional surcharge imposed by this section does not apply to parking citations. (B) The revenue collected pursuant to subsection (A) must be collected by the jurisdiction which heard or processed the case and transmitted pursuant to the guidelines in Section 14-1-220. The funds should be clearly designated as Criminal Justice Academy Surcharge Collections when transmitted to the municipal and county treasurer and then to the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer shall transfer the revenue quarterly to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. (C) The State Treasurer may request the State Auditor to examine the financial records of any jurisdiction which he believes is not timely transmitting the funds required to be paid to the State Treasurer pursuant to subsection (B). The State Auditor is further authorized to conduct these examinations and the local jurisdiction is required to participate in and cooperate fully with the examination. Editor's Note 2014 Act No. 247, SECTION 2, provides as follows: "SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and terminates on June 30, 2016. All funds collected by the date of termination shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer and then to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy."
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-380 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-380
SECTION 14-7-380. Punishment of jury commissioners guilty of fraud.
Status: in_force

If any member of the board of jury commissioners is guilty of fraud, either (a) by practicing on the jury box previously to a draft, (b) in drawing a juror, (c) in returning into the jury box the name of any juror which has been lawfully drawn out and drawing or substituting another in his stead, or (d) in any other way in the drawing of jurors, he must be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or be imprisoned not exceeding two years in a state correctional institution. Editor's Note Provisions relative to issuance of venires for additional jurors, which formerly appeared in this section, can now be found in SECTION 14-7-310.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-240 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-240
SECTION 14-7-240. Selection of jurors by drawing.
Status: in_force

All jurors must be selected by drawing ballots from the jury box and, subject to the exceptions herein contained, the persons whose names are on the ballots so drawn must be returned to serve as jurors. Editor's Note Provisions relative to when a jury, having been charged with a case, may be discharged, which formerly appeared in this section, can now be found in SECTION 14-7-210.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-130 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 14-3-130
SECTION 14-3-130. Clerk.
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court shall also appoint a clerk, who shall hold his office for four years and who shall have the custody and keeping of its records and shall furnish certified copies thereof to persons desiring the same upon the payment of the fees prescribed by law. He shall receive a fee of fifty cents for each certificate.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-680 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 14-5-680
SECTION 14-5-680. Designation of terms in fifth circuit.
Status: in_force

The courts held under the provisions of Section 14-5-670 in the fifth circuit during the first four months of the year shall be known as the spring term of the court of general sessions and the spring term of the court of common pleas, during the next four months as the summer terms of said courts and during the last four months as the fall terms of said courts. And the two sessions of the court of common pleas therein appointed for Richland County during the spring term and the two sessions of said court for Richland County herein appointed during the fall term shall be known as the first and second sessions, respectively, of such terms.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-670 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 5 / Section 14-23-670
SECTION 14-23-670. Clerk shall file account of money remaining in court.
Status: in_force

At each stated session of the probate court the clerk thereof shall present an account to the court of all moneys remaining therein or subject to the order thereof, stating particularly on account of what cause or causes such moneys are deposited. Such account and the vouchers thereof shall be filed in court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-730 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 14-5-730
SECTION 14-5-730. Terms of court in eighth circuit.
Status: in_force

The courts of the eighth judicial circuit shall be held as hereinafter provided. (1) Abbeville County. - The court of general sessions for Abbeville County shall be held at Abbeville on the first Monday in February, the first Monday in May, and the first Monday in September, in each case for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Abbeville on the Monday following the fourth Monday in March, the fourth Monday in June, the second Monday in October, and the second Monday in December, in each case for one week. (2) Greenwood County. - The court of general sessions for Greenwood County shall be held at Greenwood for a one-week term on the second Monday in February, the second Monday in April, the second Monday in May and the second Monday in September. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Greenwood for a two-week term beginning on the second Monday in January, for a one-week term beginning the second Monday in March, the third Monday in April, the first Monday in June, and for a two-week term beginning the second Monday in November. (3) Laurens County. - The court of general sessions for Laurens County shall be held at Laurens on the fourth Monday in February, the fourth Monday in May, and for a two-weeks term beginning the fourth Monday in September. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Laurens on the third Monday in March for two weeks, the second Monday in June for one week, and the fourth Monday in October for two weeks. (4) Newberry County. - The court of general sessions for Newberry County shall be held at Newberry on the third Monday in February, the third Monday in May, the third Monday in September and the fourth Monday in November, in each case for one week. The court of common pleas for the county shall be held at Newberry on the fourth Monday in January, the fourth Monday in April, the third Monday in June, the third Monday in October, and the first Monday in December, in each case for one week.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-20 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article I / Section 14-8-20
SECTION 14-8-20. Election of members of the court; terms of office.
Status: in_force

(a) The members of the Court shall be elected by joint public vote of the General Assembly for a term of six years and until their successors are elected and qualify; provided, however, that of those judges initially elected, the Chief Judge (Seat 5) and the judge elected to Seat 6 shall be elected for terms of six years each, the judges elected to Seats 3 and 4 shall be elected for terms of four years each, and the judges elected to Seats 1 and 2 shall be elected for terms of two years each. The terms of office of the judges of the Court shall begin on July 1, 1985. Prior to such date, the General Assembly shall have authority to take such measures as necessary to secure accommodations, personnel, supplies, and equipment and such other matters as may be necessary to effect full implementation of the Court for operation by such date. (b) Each seat on the Court shall be numbered. Candidates shall be required to file for a specific seat. Seat five shall be designated as the office of Chief Judge and shall be a separate and distinct office for the purpose of an election. (c) In any contested election, the vote of each member of the General Assembly present and voting shall be recorded; provided, that the provisions of Chapter 19 of Title 2 shall be followed in the course of electing the members of the Court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-400 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-400
SECTION 14-23-400. Judges may issue executions.
Status: in_force

Judges of the probate court may issue executions against property, when such process is necessary to carry into effect any order, sentence or decree of such court or for costs accruing therein. And they may issue executions against property in their respective counties to enforce decrees from the probate courts of other counties upon a transcript of such decree and certificate of enrollment of the same being filed in the office of the probate court from which such execution is to issue and also in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas for the county in which it is to issue.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-30 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 14-23-30
SECTION 14-23-30. Election and term of judges.
Status: in_force

The judges of the probate court shall be elected by the qualified electors of the respective counties for the term of four years. The election for such offices shall be held at each alternate general election, reckoning from the year 1890.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-320 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-320
SECTION 14-7-320. Calling of alternate jurors.
Status: in_force

Whenever in the opinion of a presiding judge of a court of common pleas or general sessions of any county of this State about to enter upon the trial of a civil or criminal case the trial is likely to be protracted, the court may cause an entry to that effect to be made in the minutes of the court and, immediately after the jury is impaneled and sworn, the court shall direct the calling of one or two additional jurors in its discretion, to be known as alternate jurors. These jurors must be drawn from the same source, in the same manner, have the same qualifications, and be subject to the same examination and challenge as the jurors already sworn. Editor's Note Provisions relative to duties of a circuit judge in the event of irregularities in the drawing of jurors, which formerly appeared in this section, can now be found in SECTION 14-7-280.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-330 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-330
SECTION 14-23-330. Taking and use of deposition.
Status: in_force

When a witness whose testimony is necessary to be used before any probate court shall reside out of this State or out of the county where the court is held or more than thirty miles from the county seat, or when by reason of age or bodily infirmity any such witness shall be unable to attend in person, the court may issue a commission to one or more competent persons to take the testimony of such witness. Depositions taken according to the provisions of the law for taking depositions to be used on the trial of civil causes may be used on the trial of any question before the probate court when such testimony may be proper.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-430 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-430
SECTION 14-7-430. Exclusiveness of method and procedure described by this article.
Status: in_force

The method and procedure described by this article is the exclusive method for the preparation of the jury lists, jury box, and the drawing of jurors therefrom and for the service as jurors in the circuit courts of this State. Editor's Note Provisions requiring persons whose names are drawn to serve as jurors, except in certain enumerated circumstances, which formerly appeared in this section, can now be found in SECTION 14-7-360.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-40 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-40
SECTION 14-9-40. Only one election permitted within four-year period.
Status: in_force

An election on said question shall not be had in any county oftener than once in four years.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-207 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-207
SECTION 14-1-207. Additional assessment, magistrates court; remittance; disposition; annual audits.
Status: in_force

(A) A person who is convicted of, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or forfeits bond for an offense occurring after June 30, 2008, tried in magistrates court must pay an amount equal to 107.5 percent of the fine imposed as an assessment. This assessment must be paid to the magistrate and deposited as required by Section 22-1-70 in the county in which the criminal judgment is rendered for remittance to the State Treasurer by the county treasurer. The assessment is based upon that portion of the fine that is not suspended and assessments must not be waived, reduced, or suspended. The assessment may not be imposed on convictions for violations of Sections 56-3-1970, 56-5-2510, and 56-5-2530, or another state law, municipal ordinance, or county ordinance restricting parking in a prohibited zone or in a parking place clearly designated for handicapped persons. (B) The county treasurer must remit 11.16 percent of the revenue generated by the assessment imposed in subsection (A) to the county to be used for the purposes set forth in subsection (D) and remit the balance of the assessment revenue to the State Treasurer on a monthly basis by the fifteenth day of each month and make reports on a form and in a manner prescribed by the State Treasurer. Assessments paid in installments must be remitted as received. (C) After deducting amounts provided pursuant to Section 14-1-210, the State Treasurer shall deposit the balance of the assessments received as follows: (1) 32.36 percent for programs established pursuant to Chapter 21 of Title 24 and the Shock Incarceration Program as provided in Article 13, Chapter 13, Title 24; (2) 20.72 percent to the Law Enforcement Training Council for training in the fields of law enforcement and criminal justice; (3) .60 percent to the Department of Public Safety to defray the cost of erecting and maintaining the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. When funds collected pursuant to this item exceed the necessary costs and expenses of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame operation and maintenance as determined by the Department of Public Safety, the department may retain, carry forward, and expend the surplus to defray the costs of maintaining and operating the Hall of Fame; (4) 18.82 percent for the Office of the Attorney General, South Carolina Crime Victim Services Division, Department of Crime Victim Compensation, Victim Compensation Fund; (5) 15.93 percent to the general fund; (6) 10.49 percent to the Office of Indigent Defense for the defense of indigents; (7) .92 percent to the Office of the Attorney General for a fund to provide support for counties involved in complex criminal litigation. For the purposes of this item, "complex criminal litigation" means criminal cases in which the State is seeking the death penalty and has served notice as required by law upon the defendant's counsel and the county involved has expended more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars for a particular case in direct support of operating the court of general sessions and for prosecution related expenses. The Attorney General shall develop guidelines for determining what expenses are reimbursable from the fund and shall approve all disbursements from the fund. Funds must be paid to a county for all expenditures authorized for reimbursement under this item except for the first one hundred thousand dollars the county expended in satisfying the requirements for reimbursement from the fund; however, money disbursed from this fund must be disbursed on a "first received, first paid" basis. When revenue in the fund reaches five hundred thousand dollars, all revenue in excess of five hundred thousand dollars must be credited to the general fund of the State. Unexpended revenue in the fund at the end of the fiscal year carries over and may be expended in the next fiscal year; and (8) .16 percent to the Office of the State Treasurer to defray the administrative expenses associated with collecting and distributing the revenue of these assessments. (D) The revenue retained by the county under subsection (B) must be used for the provision of services for the victims of crime including those required by law. These funds must be appropriated for the exclusive purpose of providing victim services as required by Article 15, Chapter 3, Title 16; specifically, those service requirements that are imposed on local law enforcement, local detention facilities, prosecutors, and the summary courts. First priority must be given to those victims' assistance programs which are required by Article 15, Chapter 3, Title 16 and second priority must be given to programs which expand victims' services beyond those required by Article 15, Chapter 3, Title 16. All unused funds must be carried forward from year to year and used exclusively for the provision of services for victims of crime. All unused funds must be separately identified in the governmental entity's adopted budget as funds unused and carried forward from previous years. (E) To ensure that fines and assessments imposed pursuant to this section and Section 14-1-209(A) are properly collected and remitted to the State Treasurer, the annual independent external audit required to be performed for each county pursuant to Section 4-9-150 must include a review of the accounting controls over the collection, reporting, and distribution of fines and assessments from the point of collection to the point of distribution and a Uniform Supplemental Schedule Form detailing all fines and assessments collected by the magistrate's court of that county, the amount remitted to the county treasurer, and the amount remitted to the State Treasurer. (1) To the extent that records are made available in the format determined pursuant to subsection (E)(4), the Uniform Supplemental Schedule Form developed by the Office of the Attorney General, South Carolina Crime Victim Services Division, must be used by all counties and municipalities to report victim services funds and must include the following elements: (a) all fines collected by the magistrate's court; (b) all assessments collected by the magistrate's court; (c) the amount of fines retained by the county treasurer; (d) the amount of assessments retained by the county treasurer; (e) the amount of fines and assessments remitted to the State Treasurer pursuant to this section; and (f) the total funds, by source, allocated to victim services activities, how those funds were expended, and any balances carried forward. (2) The Uniform Supplemental Schedule Form must be included in the external auditor's report as required by generally accepted auditing standards when information accompanies the basic financial statements in auditor submitted documents. (3) Within thirty days of issuance of the audited financial statement, the county must submit to the State Treasurer a copy of the audited financial statement and a statement of the actual cost associated with the preparation of the Uniform Supplemental Schedule Form required in this section. Upon submission to the State Treasurer, the county may retain and pay from the fines and assessments collected pursuant to this section the actual expense charged by the external auditor for the preparation of the Uniform Supplemental Schedule Form required in this subsection, not to exceed one thousand dollars each year. (4) The clerk of court and county treasurer shall keep records of fines and assessments required to be reviewed pursuant to this subsection in the format determined by the county council and make those records available for review. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 96, Pt. II, SECTION 4.E, in (C)(1), substituted "Chapter 13, Title 24" for "Chapter 13 of Title 24", and in (C)(4), substituted "Office of the Attorney General, South Carolina Crime Victim Services Division, Department of Crime Victim Compensation, Victim Compensation Fund" for "State Office of Victim Assistance"; and in (D), substituted "Article 15, Chapter 3, Title 16" for "Article 15 of Title 16" in three places. 2017 Act No. 96, Pt. III, SECTION 12.B, in (E), substituted "Uniform Supplemental Schedule Form" for "supplementary schedule"; in (E)(1), substituted "Uniform Supplemental Schedule Form developed by the Office of the Attorney General, South Carolina Crime Victim Services Division," for "supplementary schedule", and inserted "be used by all counties and municipalities to report victim services funds and must"; in (E)(2), substituted "Uniform Supplemental Schedule Form" for "supplementary schedule", and deleted "by an 'in relation to' paragraph" following "report"; and, in (E)(3), substituted "Uniform Supplemental Schedule Form" for "supplementary schedule" twice.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-50 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-50
SECTION 14-9-50. Election of county judge; term; oath; commission.
Status: in_force

At the next ensuing general election after a majority of the electors in any county shall have voted for the establishment of a county court, and every four years thereafter, the qualified electors in such county shall elect a resident attorney at law thereof as county judge. Such county judge shall be the presiding judge of the county court and shall hold his office for four years and until his successor has been elected and has qualified. The county judge, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take the same oath of office as that required by law of circuit judges and shall be commissioned in the same manner as circuit judges.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-290 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 14-23-290
SECTION 14-23-290. Court may issue warrants and processes.
Status: in_force

Probate courts may issue all warrants and processes, in conformity to the rules of law, which may be necessary to compel the attendance of witnesses or to carry into effect any order, sentence or decree of such courts or the powers granted them by law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-13-10 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 13 / Section 14-13-10
SECTION 14-13-10. System of court reporting shall be standardized; records shall be retained permanently.
Status: in_force

The system of court reporting of the circuit courts of the State, including those county courts having criminal jurisdiction shall be standardized and records of litigation and criminal proceedings in these courts shall be retained permanently.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-130 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-130
SECTION 14-1-130. Disqualification of judge by reason of relationship to parties.
Status: in_force

No judge or other judicial officer shall preside on the trial of any cause when he may be connected with either of the parties by consanguinity or affinity within the sixth degree.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-380 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 14-3-380
SECTION 14-3-380. Proceedings when Supreme Court justices and circuit judges sit together; expenses.
Status: in_force

A majority of the justices of the Supreme Court and circuit judges shall constitute a quorum. The decision of the court so constituted, or a majority of the justices and judges sitting, shall be final and conclusive. In such case the Chief Justice or in his absence the presiding associate justice shall preside. Whenever the justices of the Supreme Court and the judges of the circuit court meet together for the purposes aforesaid, if the number thereof qualified to sit constitute an even number one of the circuit judges must retire, and the circuit judges present shall determine by lot which of their number shall retire. Whenever the circuit judges are called to sit with the justices of the Supreme Court for the determination of any cause or causes the actual travelling and other expenses of each judge so attending shall be paid by the Governor out of his civil contingent fund upon an itemized statement made out and certified to by each judge.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-11-100 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 14-11-100
SECTION 14-11-100. Authority to administer oaths, and to take testimony, depositions, renunciations of dower, affidavits, and other instruments; fees.
Status: in_force

The masters in this State, while in office, may administer oaths, take depositions, affidavits and renunciation of dower, probate deeds and other instruments and take testimony by commission as fully and effectually as the clerks of courts and notaries public. Their fees therefor shall be the same as allowed by law to other officers for similar services.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-60 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 14-3-60
SECTION 14-3-60. Procedure when justice cannot preside in cause; special justices.
Status: in_force

In case all or any of the justices of the Supreme Court shall be disqualified or be otherwise prevented from presiding in any cause, the court, or the justices thereof, shall certify the same to the Governor of the State, and he shall immediately commission specially the requisite number of men learned in the law for the trial and determination thereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-230 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article III / Section 14-8-230
SECTION 14-8-230. Rules governing administration.
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court shall promulgate rules governing the administration of the Court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1940 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 17 / Section 14-7-1940
SECTION 14-7-1940. Drawing of grand juror and alternate names; discharge of remaining jury venire.
Status: in_force

After the grand jury venire has been duly qualified by the presiding judge, the clerk of court shall place the names of all qualified grand jurors in a container from which twelve grand jurors must be chosen. The clerk of court shall randomly draw twelve jurors from the container, and those twelve jurors drawn shall serve as grand jurors, together with those grand jurors selected as provided under Section 14-7-1910. The clerk of court shall randomly draw three or more additional jurors, with those three or more jurors serving as alternate grand jurors in the event one or more of the original grand jurors are incapacitated, excused, or disqualified during their term. The names of the alternate grand jurors must be kept separate and numbered in the order drawn and in this order, unless excused by the presiding judge, shall serve when necessary. The remainder of the grand jury venire may be discharged.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-220 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-220
SECTION 14-7-220. Drawings to be open and public; notice.
Status: in_force

The drawings must be made openly and publicly in the office of the clerk of court of common pleas and the jury commissioners shall give ten days' notice of the place, day, and hour of each of the drawings by posting in a conspicuous place on the courthouse door or by advertisement in a county newspaper. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION14-7-220 was titled Names shall be placed in "tales box"; special provisions for counties of between 50,000 and 53,000 population, and had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 38-60.1; 1958 (50) 1994; omitted by 1986 Act No. 340, SECTION 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-2-60 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 2 / Section 14-2-60
SECTION 14-2-60. Transition of abolished courts into unified judicial system.
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court by rule or order shall provide for the transition into the unified judicial system of the jurisdiction of those courts abolished by the provisions of this act and for the assignment of cases pending at such time. Editor's Note 1976 Act No. 690 adds new Code SECTIONS 1-7-325, 1-7-405, 1-7-570 to 1-7-670, 14-2-10 et seq., 14-21-410 to 14-21-500, and 14-23-1010 to 14-23-1150; amends existing Code SECTIONS 14-5-610, 14-21-140, 14-21-510, 14-21-1020, and 22-3-10; and contains sections appearing as Editor's Notes at Chapter 9 of Title 14, Chapter 11 of Title 14, Chapter 13 of Title 15, and SECTIONS 14-2-10, 14-2-20, 14-21-410 and 14-21-425.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1390 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 11 / Section 14-7-1390
SECTION 14-7-1390. Penalty for nonattendance.
Status: in_force

If a person duly drawn and summoned to attend as a juror in any court neglects to attend, without sufficient excuse, he shall pay a civil penalty not exceeding one hundred dollars which must be imposed by the court to which the juror was summoned and paid into the county treasury.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-27-80 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 27 / Section 14-27-80
SECTION 14-27-80. Duties of certain members performed as part of the duties of their offices.
Status: in_force

The duties performed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or other member of that court designated by him, by the circuit judges, inferior court judges and probate judges, by members of the legal department of the State, and by the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, legislative members, Director of the Legislative Council and Dean of the Law School of the University of South Carolina shall be performed as a part of the duties of their respective offices. Effect of Amendment 2019 Act No. 1, SECTION 92, substituted "President of the Senate" for "Lieutenant Governor", and made nonsubstantive changes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-310 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-310
SECTION 14-7-310. Venires for additional jurors.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this article prevents the clerk of the court of common pleas from issuing venires for additional jurors in term time upon the order of the court whenever it is necessary for the convenient dispatch of its business. In any such case venires must be served and returned and jurors required to attend on those days as the court shall direct. Editor's Note Provisions relative to preparation of special jury lists in certain circumstances, which formerly appeared in this section, can now be found in SECTION 14-7-270.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1750 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 15 / Section 14-7-1750
SECTION 14-7-1750. Indictment by state grand jury; sealed indictment.
Status: in_force

In order to return a "true bill" of indictment, twelve or more state grand jurors must find that probable cause exists for the indictment and vote in favor of it. Upon indictment by a state grand jury, the indictment must be returned to the presiding judge. If the presiding judge considers the indictment to be within the authority of the state grand jury and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this article, he shall return the indictment by order to the county where venue is appropriate under South Carolina law for prosecution by the Attorney General or his designee. The presiding judge may direct that the indictment be kept secret until the defendant is in custody or has been released pending trial. Thereupon, the clerk of the state grand jury shall seal the indictment, and no person shall disclose the return of the indictment except when necessary for the issuance and execution of a warrant.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1090 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 9 / Section 14-7-1090
SECTION 14-7-1090. Impaneling jury in default cases or in cases where right to strike jury has been waived.
Status: in_force

In all cases of default when it may be necessary to have the verdict of a jury or in the trial of cases when the parties or their attorneys shall waive the right to strike a jury, the clerk shall, under the direction of the judge, draw and impanel a jury who shall pass upon those matters as may be submitted to it in default cases or the trial of those cases when the parties have waived the right to strike the jury. Editor's Note Provisions as to the manner of drawing a jury panel of twenty, which formerly appeared in this section, can now be found in SECTION 14-7-1060.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-360 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-360
SECTION 14-7-360. Requirement that persons serve as jurors unless disqualified or excused.
Status: in_force

When the name of a person is drawn from the jury box for jury service by the jury commissioners the person shall serve as a juror unless disqualified or excused by the court as may be provided by law. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION14-7-360 was titled Supplying deficiency in number of jurors in counties with city of 16,000 to 16,500, and had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 38-73; 1952 Code SECTION 38-73; 1942 Code SECTION 618; 1932 Code SECTION 618; Civ. P. '22 SECTION 558; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 4027; 1902 (23) 1066; 1939 (41) 27; 1941 (42) 70; 1943 (43) 282; omitted by 1986 Act No. 340, SECTION 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-15-210 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 14-15-210
SECTION 14-15-210. Bailiffs; appointment, number and removal.
Status: in_force

The sheriffs of the respective counties in this State shall be empowered to appoint as many bailiffs as they see fit, not to exceed five in number, whose duties shall be as now provided by law. The bailiffs may be removed, increased or decreased by the circuit judge within his discretion.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-25-195 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 25 / Article 1 / Section 14-25-195
SECTION 14-25-195. Right to record proceedings.
Status: in_force

Any party shall have the right to have the testimony given at a jury trial in any municipal court taken stenographically or mechanically by a reporter; provided, that nothing herein shall operate to prevent any such party from mechanically recording the proceedings himself. The requesting party shall pay the charges of such reporter for taking and transcribing if such testimony is recorded by a municipal court reporter. Editor's Note This section contains provisions dealing with matters formerly dealt with by SECTIONS 14-25-40 and 14-25-960.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-25-170 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 25 / Article 1 / Section 14-25-170
SECTION 14-25-170. Drawing and summoning jurors by computer.
Status: in_force

In lieu of the manner required by this chapter, jurors for municipal courts, at the discretion of the governing body of the municipality, may be drawn and summoned by computer in the manner the Supreme Court by order directs.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-11-50 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 14-11-50
SECTION 14-11-50. Vacancies.
Status: in_force

All vacancies in the office of master from death, resignation, removal from the State or any cause whatsoever shall be filled in the manner of original appointment for the unexpired term.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-50 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 14-3-50
SECTION 14-3-50. Disqualification of justice by reason of interest or prior participation in case.
Status: in_force

In addition to the cases mentioned in Section 14-1-130, no justice shall preside in any case or at the hearing thereof in which he may be interested or in which he may have been counsel or has presided in any inferior court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-3-90 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 14-3-90
SECTION 14-3-90. Attendance; quorum.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of all the justices to be present. Any three of the justices shall constitute a quorum.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1520 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 13 / Section 14-7-1520
SECTION 14-7-1520. Drawing of juror names; writs of venire facias; issuance and delivery of writs.
Status: in_force

Not less than fifteen days before the convening of the first term of the court of general sessions for the calendar year, the jury commissioners shall proceed to draw from the jury box the number of grand jurors which the clerk of court or chief administrative judge for the circuit has determined to be sufficient in order to impanel a grand jury. The grand jurors must be randomly drawn and listed as are jurors for trials, and the jury commissioners shall not disqualify or excuse any juror drawn. Immediately after these grand jurors are drawn, the clerk of court shall issue writs of venire facias for these grand jurors, requiring their attendance on the first day of the first week of criminal court in the county or at such other time as the clerk of court may designate. These writs of venire facias must be delivered immediately to the sheriff of the county or otherwise served as provided by law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1620 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 15 / Section 14-7-1620
SECTION 14-7-1620. State grand jury system established; meeting place; quorum.
Status: in_force

There is established a state grand jury system, each state grand jury consisting of eighteen persons who shall meet in Columbia or at another suitable place in this State designated by the chief administrative judge of the judicial circuit in which the Attorney General seeks to impanel a state grand jury for a term hereinafter provided. Twelve members of a state grand jury constitute a quorum.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-25-185 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 25 / Article 1 / Section 14-25-185
SECTION 14-25-185. Failure of juror to appear.
Status: in_force

Any juror who, being duly summoned, shall neglect or refuse to appear in obedience to any summons issued by any municipal court, and shall not within forty-eight hours render to the municipal judge a sufficient reason for his delinquency, may be punished for contempt. Editor's Note This section contains provisions dealing with matters formerly dealt with by SECTION 14-25-430.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-200 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-200
SECTION 14-7-200. Drawing of petit jurors to serve during week of regular or special term of circuit court.
Status: in_force

Not less than fifteen nor more than thirty-five days before the first day of each week of any regular or special term of the circuit court the jury commissioners shall proceed to draw at least seventy-five petit jurors to serve for that week only. The chief administrative judge or the presiding judge of that circuit may increase or decrease the number of jurors drawn if he considers it necessary; however, at least seventy-five jurors must be drawn. The jury commissioners shall randomly select the jurors and shall not excuse or disqualify any juror who has been selected. Immediately after the petit jurors are drawn, the clerk of the court of common pleas shall issue his writ of venire facias for the petit jurors, requiring their attendance on the first day of the week for which they have been drawn and this writ of venire facias must be immediately delivered to the sheriff of the county. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION14-7-200 was titled Custody of jury box and locks in counties containing a city of more than 70,000, and had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 38-59; 1952 Code SECTION 38-59; 1942 Code SECTION 609; 1932 Code SECTION 609; Civ. P. '22 SECTION 549; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 4018; 1902 (23) 1066; 1921 (32) 276; 1939 (41) 27; 1941 (42) 70; 1943 (43) 263; omitted by 1986 Act No. 340, SECTION 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-150 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 14-5-150
SECTION 14-5-150. Judges shall notify Chief Justice of inability or disability to hold court.
Status: in_force

Each circuit judge, when disabled by sickness or other cause to hold any court to which he may be assigned, shall give or cause to be given prompt notice of such inability or disability to the Chief Justice so that his place may be temporarily filled and the court held according to law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-1150 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 9 / Section 14-23-1150
SECTION 14-23-1150. Jurisdiction of judges.
Status: in_force

Every judge of probate, in his county, shall have jurisdiction: (a) as provided in Sections 62-1-301 and 62-1-302, and other applicable sections of the South Carolina Probate Code; (b) to issue marriage licenses, in form as provided by the bureau of vital statistics of the Department of Health and Environmental Control; to record, index, and dispose of copies of marriage certificates; and to issue certified copies of such licenses and certificates; (c) to perform the duties of the clerk of the court of common pleas in proceedings in eminent domain for the acquisition of rights-of-way by railway or canal companies when such clerk is disqualified by reason of ownership of or interest in any lands over which it is sought to obtain such right-of-way; (d) to inquire into and adjudge, in such proceedings as may be authorized by law, the involuntary commitment of persons suffering from mental illness, intellectual disability, alcoholism, drug addiction, and active pulmonary tuberculosis.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-27-90 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 27 / Section 14-27-90
SECTION 14-27-90. Certain officials shall make reports.
Status: in_force

The judges and clerks of the courts of the State, and the sheriffs, solicitors and other officers of the State and its subdivisions, shall render to the Council such reports as it may request upon matters within the scope of its duties.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-240 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-240
SECTION 14-9-240. Judge and solicitor prohibited from practicing law in certain causes; violations.
Status: in_force

The county judge and county solicitor shall not practice as attorneys at law in any cause or matter of which the county court has jurisdiction or may acquire jurisdiction. Upon conviction of any willful violation of this section the offender shall be adjudged to have forfeited his office and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than two hundred nor more than five hundred dollars and be imprisoned for a period of not less than one month nor more than six months. But the county solicitor may practice in all causes and matters on the civil side of said court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-610 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 14-5-610
SECTION 14-5-610. Division of state into sixteen judicial circuits; number of judges to be elected from each circuit; election of additional judges without regard to county or circuit of residence.
Status: in_force

(A) The State is divided into sixteen judicial circuits as follows: (1) The first circuit is composed of the counties of Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg. (2) The second circuit is composed of the counties of Aiken, Bamberg, and Barnwell. (3) The third circuit is composed of the counties of Clarendon, Lee, Sumter, and Williamsburg. (4) The fourth circuit is composed of the counties of Chesterfield, Darlington, Marlboro, and Dillon. (5) The fifth circuit is composed of the counties of Kershaw and Richland. (6) The sixth circuit is composed of the counties of Chester, Lancaster, and Fairfield. (7) The seventh circuit is composed of the counties of Cherokee and Spartanburg. (8) The eighth circuit is composed of the counties of Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry. (9) The ninth circuit is composed of the counties of Charleston and Berkeley. (10) The tenth circuit is composed of the counties of Anderson and Oconee. (11) The eleventh circuit is composed of the counties of Lexington, McCormick, Saluda, and Edgefield. (12) The twelfth circuit is composed of the counties of Florence and Marion. (13) The thirteenth circuit is composed of the counties of Greenville and Pickens. (14) The fourteenth circuit is composed of the counties of Allendale, Hampton, Colleton, Jasper, and Beaufort. (15) The fifteenth circuit is composed of the counties of Georgetown and Horry. (16) The sixteenth circuit is composed of the counties of York and Union. (B) One judge must be elected from the sixth circuit. Two judges must be elected from the first, second, fourth, eighth, tenth, and sixteenth circuits. Three judges must be elected from the third, seventh, eleventh, twelfth, fourteenth, and fifteenth circuits. Five judges must be elected from the fifth, ninth, and thirteenth circuits. (C) In addition to the above judges authorized by this section, there must be seven additional circuit judges elected by the General Assembly from the State at large for terms of office of six years. These additional judges must be elected without regard to county or circuit of residence. Each office of the at-large judges is a separate office and is assigned numerical designations of Seat No. 1 through Seat No. 7, respectively. Editor's Note 1979 Act No. 164 Part IV SECTION 2 provides that the six additional judges authorized by the amendment to SECTION 14-5-610 shall take office on July 1, 1979 and the General Assembly during its 1979 session after the effective date of the amendment shall begin the process of electing the additional circuit judges. 1982 Act No. 316, SECTION 2, effective April 9, 1982, provides that the numerical designations of the offices of at-large circuit judges as provided in SECTION 14-5-610 shall be as follows on the effective date of the act: Seat No. 1: occupied by the Honorable Ralph King Anderson. Seat No. 2: occupied by the Honorable William Tindall Howell. Seat No. 3: occupied by the Honorable James McCullum Morris. Seat No. 4: formerly occupied by the Honorable Charles Victor Pyle, Jr. Seat No. 5: occupied by the Honorable James Barnett Stephen. Seat No. 6: occupied by the Honorable Marion Hardy Kinon. 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, SECTION 27C, provides as follows: "SECTION 27C. Those additional circuit court and family court judges authorized by the provisions of subsections (A) and (B) of this section shall take office May 17, 1998, and the Judicial Merit Selection Commission on the effective date of this section shall begin the process of nominating candidates for these offices and the General Assembly shall then elect such judges from the nominees of the commission so that these judges may take office on May 17, 1998." 2012 Act No. 241, SECTION 3, provides as follows: "The Judicial Merit Selection Commission shall begin the process of nominating candidates for the judicial offices authorized by the provisions of SECTIONS 1 and 2, and the General Assembly then shall elect these judges from the nominees of the commission; except that, the nominating process may not begin until funding for the additional judges is provided in the general appropriations act." 2022 Act No. 232, SECTION 3, provides as follows: "SECTION 3. The Judicial Merit Selection Commission shall begin the process of nominating candidates for the judicial offices authorized by the provisions of SECTIONS 1 and 2. The General Assembly then shall elect these judges from the nominees of the commission; except that, the nominating process may not begin until funding for the additional judges is provided in the general appropriations act." 2025 Act No. 50, SECTION 2, provides as follows: "(A) Upon the effective date of this act: "(1) At-large Circuit Court Seat 1 is converted to a resident seat and designated Third Circuit Court Seat 3; "(2) At-large Circuit Court Seat 4 is converted to a resident seat and designated Thirteenth Circuit Court Seat 5; "(3) At-large Circuit Court Seats 6 and 12 are converted to resident seats and designated Twelfth Circuit Court Seats 2 and 3, respectively; "(4) At-large Circuit Court Seats 8 and 10 are converted to resident seats and designated Fifth Circuit Court Seats 4 and 5, respectively; "(5) At-large Circuit Court Seat 9 is converted to a resident seat and designated Ninth Circuit Court Seat 5; "(6) At-large Circuit Court Seat 13 is converted to a resident seat and designated Eleventh Circuit Court Seat 3; and "(7) At-large Circuit Court Seat 14 is converted to a resident seat and designated Seventh Circuit Seat 3. "(B) Nothing in this act may be construed to require a judge currently serving in an at-large circuit court seat which is converted to a resident circuit court seat pursuant to this act to undergo additional screening until the end of the term for which they were screened and duly elected to an at-large circuit court seat." Effect of Amendment 2022 Act No. 232, SECTION 1, in (B), in the first sentence, substituted "sixth and twelfth circuits" for "second, sixth, and twelfth circuits", in the second sentence, substituted "first, second, third, fourth, seventh, eighth, tenth, eleventh, and sixteenth circuits" for "first, third, fourth, seventh, eighth, tenth, eleventh, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth circuits", in the third sentence, substituted ", fourteenth, and fifteenth circuits" for "and ninth circuits", and in the fourth sentence, substituted "ninth and thirteenth circuits" for "thirteenth circuit". 2025 Act No. 50, SECTION 1, rewrote (B); and in (C), in the first sentence, substituted "seven" for "sixteen", and in the last sentence, substituted "7" for "16".
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-410 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 14-5-410
SECTION 14-5-410. Transacting general sessions business during common pleas court.
Status: in_force

Whenever provision is made for holding the court of common pleas the presiding judge, during the time allowed for the holding of the court of common pleas, may open the court of general sessions and transact all or such business of the court of general sessions except trials by jury as such judge may deem expedient.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-390 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-390
SECTION 14-7-390. Service of summons for jury duty by first class mail or by alternate method.
Status: in_force

The clerk of court of a county may serve a summons for jury duty by first class mail. In the alternative, the clerk of court of any county may contract with the State Election Commission to serve a summons for jury duty by first class mail. Should the clerk of court of any county not choose to use either of the procedures for summoning jurors provided by this section, the clerk may summon jurors as provided by Section 14-7-410 or the sheriff shall serve jurors as provided by Section 14-7-400. Editor's Note Provisions relative to calling alternate jurors, which formerly appeared in this section, can now be found in SECTION 14-7-320.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-710 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 7 / Section 14-17-710
SECTION 14-17-710. Accounts against county for fees in State cases.
Status: in_force

In all cases the clerk shall render his account against the county for fees in State cases under oath, to be taken and subscribed before the judge, magistrate or other office authorized to administer an oath. In such statement the nature of the services shall be fully set forth and, if in the sessions, the name of the party, offense and termination thereof. He shall not be entitled to receive any fees from the county in any case in which the defendant is convicted unless he makes oath that the costs in such case have not been recovered out of the defendant and that the defendant is unable to pay costs. And he must, in all cases, further make oath that all fines and penalties theretofore collected by him have been faithfully and fully paid over to the county treasurer.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-130 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 3 / Section 14-7-130
SECTION 14-7-130. Preparation of jury list from electronic file of persons holding valid South Carolina driver's license or identification card.
Status: in_force

In September of each year, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall furnish the State Election Commission an electronic file of the name, address, date of birth, social security number, sex, and race of persons who are over the age of eighteen years and citizens of the United States residing in each county who hold a valid South Carolina driver's license or an identification card issued pursuant to Section 56-1-3350. The electronic file also must include persons who have obtained a valid South Carolina driver's license or identification card during the previous year and exclude persons whose driver's license or identification card has not been renewed or has been invalidated by judicial or administrative action. In October of each year, the State Election Commission shall furnish a jury list to county jury commissioners consisting of a file or list derived by merging the list of registered voters in the county with county residents appearing on the file furnished by the department, but only those licensed drivers and identification cardholders who are eligible to register to vote may be included in the list. Before furnishing the list, the commission must make every effort to eliminate duplicate names and names of persons disqualified from registering to vote or voting pursuant to the laws and Constitution of this State. As furnished to the jury commissioners by the State Election Commission, the list or file constitutes the roll of eligible jurors in the county. Expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the State Election Commission in implementing this section must be borne by these agencies. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION14-7-130 was titled Vacancy or disqualification in office of jury commissioner in counties containing a city of more than 70,000, and had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 38-51.3; 1952 Code SECTION 38-51.2; 1942 Code SECTION 622; 1932 Code SECTION 622; Civ. P. '22 SECTION 562; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 4030; 1902 (23) 1066; 1930 (36) 1239; 1936 (39) 1340; 1939 (41) 27; 1941 (42) 70; 1956 (49) 1789; omitted by 1986 Act No. 340, SECTION 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-8-280 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 8 / Article III / Section 14-8-280
SECTION 14-8-280. Certification of issues of fact to lower courts; appointment of referees.
Status: in_force

Whenever in the course of any action or proceeding in the Court arising in the exercise of the original jurisdiction conferred by law upon the court, an issue of fact shall arise upon the pleadings or when an issue of fact shall arise upon a traverse to return in mandamus, prohibition or certiorari, or whenever the determination of any question of fact shall be necessary to the exercise of the jurisdiction conferred upon the Court of Appeals, the court may frame an issue therein and certify such issue to the circuit court for the county in which the cause originated or in case of original jurisdiction to the circuit court of the county in which the cause of action has arisen. The Court shall also have the same powers as are now possessed by the circuit courts of the State for the appointment of referees to take testimony and report thereon, under such instructions as may be prescribed by the court, in any cases arising in the Court where issues of fact shall arise.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-850 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 7 / Section 14-7-850
SECTION 14-7-850. Frequency of jury service.
Status: in_force

No person is liable to be drawn and serve as a juror in any court more often than once every three calendar years and no person shall serve as a juror more than once every calendar year, but he is not exempt from serving on a jury in any other court in consequence of his having served before a magistrate. Editor's Note Provisions relative to exemptions from jury service, which formerly appeared in this section, can now be found in SECTION 14-7-840.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1660 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 15 / Section 14-7-1660
SECTION 14-7-1660. Selection of grand jurors.
Status: in_force

(A) In the January following the effective date of this article and each January thereafter, the jury commissioners for each county shall proceed to draw at random from the jury box the name of one person for each one thousand residents or fraction thereof of the county as determined by the latest United States census but following the effective date of this article, the presiding judge may authorize an interim procedure for the selection of state grand jurors to constitute the first state grand jury established pursuant to this article. The jury commissioners shall not disqualify or excuse any individual whose name is drawn. When the list is compiled, the clerk of court shall forward the list to the person designated as the clerk of the state grand jury by the presiding judge. Upon receipt of all the lists from the clerks of court, the clerk of the state grand jury shall draw therefrom at random a list of seven hundred eligible state grand jurors, this list to be known as the master list. The clerk of the state grand jury shall mail to every person whose name is drawn a juror qualification form, the form and the manner of qualifying potential state grand jurors to be determined by the Supreme Court. Based upon these inquiries, the presiding judge shall determine whether an individual is unqualified for, or exempt, or to be excused from jury service. The clerk of the state grand jury shall prepare annually a jury list of persons qualified to serve as state grand jurors, this list to be known as the qualified state grand jury list. No state grand juror may be excused or disqualified except in accordance with existing law. (B) Upon the presiding judge ordering a term of a state grand jury upon notification of initiation of a state grand jury investigation by the Attorney General, the clerk of the state grand jury, upon the random drawing of the names of sixty persons from the qualified jury list, shall summon these individuals to attend the jury selection process for the state grand jury. The jury selection process must be conducted by the presiding judge. The clerk of the state grand jury shall issue his writ of venire facias for these persons, requiring their attendance at the time designated. The writ of venire facias must be delivered immediately to the sheriff of the county where the person resides and served as provided by law. From the sixty persons so summoned, a state grand jury for that term of eighteen persons plus four alternates must be drawn in the same manner as jurors are drawn for service on the county grand jury. Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the right of the Attorney General or his designee to request that a potential state grand juror be excused for cause. Jurors of a state grand jury shall receive a daily subsistence expense equal to the maximum allowable for the Columbia, South Carolina area, by regulation of the Internal Revenue Code when summoned or serving, and also must be paid the same per diem and mileage as are members of state boards, commissions, and committees.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1530 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 13 / Section 14-7-1530
SECTION 14-7-1530. Judge to ascertain qualifications of jurors; lists of excused or disqualified jurors; jurors not served writs.
Status: in_force

On the first day of the term of court, the presiding judge shall ascertain the qualifications of those jurors who have appeared pursuant to the writs of venire facias. No juror may be excused or disqualified except in accordance with existing law as determined by the presiding judge. The clerk of court shall maintain a list of all jurors who are excused or disqualified by the presiding judge and state the reasons given by the presiding judge for excusing or disqualifying the jurors. The sheriff of the county also shall report to the presiding judge the names of those persons who were not served with writs of venire facias, and that reasonable effort was made to obtain service. The clerk of court shall maintain a list of the jurors who were not served with the writs of venire facias and the reasons service was not effected.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-1040 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 9 / Section 14-23-1040
SECTION 14-23-1040. Only qualified county electors eligible to office of judge or associate judge.
Status: in_force

No person is eligible to hold the office of judge of probate who is not at the time of his election a citizen of the United States and of this State, has not attained the age of twenty-one years upon his election, has not become a qualified elector of the county in which he is to be a judge, and has not received a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary institution or if he has received no degree he must have four years' experience as an employee in a probate judge's office in this State. Editor's Note NOTE: The provision of Section 14-23-1040 requiring a four-year college degree or four years' experience as an employee in a probate judge's office in the State in order to serve as a probate judge has not been precleared by the U.S. Department of Justice and cannot be put into effect. See Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended. 1988 Act No. 678, Part II, SECTION 4, provides as follows: Section 14-23-1040 of the 1976 Code does not apply to probate judges presently holding office upon January 1, 1989.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-1560 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 13 / Section 14-7-1560
SECTION 14-7-1560. Employment of expert accountants.
Status: in_force

Grand juries may, whenever in their judgment it becomes necessary, employ one or more expert accountants to aid them to examine and investigate the offices, books, papers, vouchers, and accounts of any public officer of their respective counties and to fix the amount of compensation or per diem to be paid therefor, upon the approval of the presiding or circuit judge given before any expert is employed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-450 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 14-5-450
SECTION 14-5-450. Adjournment of circuit courts on account of disease.
Status: in_force

The judge of the circuit court shall have power to direct any circuit court in his circuit to be adjourned over to a future day designated in a written order to the clerk of such court whenever there is a dangerous and general disease at the place where such court is usually held.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-25-205 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 25 / Article 1 / Section 14-25-205
SECTION 14-25-205. Consolidated political subdivisions.
Status: in_force

In the event a consolidated political subdivision is created under the Constitution and laws of this State, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to the creation and operation of courts for such consolidated political subdivision mutatis mutandi.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-50 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 14-23-50
SECTION 14-23-50. Filling of vacancies.
Status: in_force

Vacancies for unexpired terms in the offices of judge of probate may be filled by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, even though the unexpired term exceeds one year. Such appointments shall be for the unexpired term, however if the unexpired term from the date the vacancy occurs exceeds three years the appointment shall be until the next general election, at which time a successor shall be elected to fill the unexpired term.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-7-810 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 7 / Article 7 / Section 14-7-810
SECTION 14-7-810. Enumeration of disqualifications in any court.
Status: in_force

In addition to any other provision of law, no person is qualified to serve as a juror in any court in this State if: (1) He has been convicted in a state or federal court of record of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and his civil rights have not been restored by pardon or amnesty. (2) He is unable to read, write, speak, or understand the English language. (3) He is incapable by reason of mental or physical infirmities to render efficient jury service. Legal blindness does not disqualify an otherwise qualified juror. (4) He has less than a sixth grade education or its equivalent. Any person called to jury service who knows or has good reason to suspect that he is disqualified under this section, upon questioning by the trial judge, hearing officer, or clerk of court, must state the disqualifying facts or the reasons for his suspicions and any failure to do so is punishable as contempt of court. The trial judge must make the final determination of the qualifications of a juror as set out in this section and his decision must not be disturbed on appeal.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-430 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 14-5-430
SECTION 14-5-430. Adjournment of court of common pleas when general sessions not concluded.
Status: in_force

Should the business before the court of general sessions at any term not be completed on the arrival of the day fixed by law for the holding of the court of common pleas, the judge presiding may, in his discretion, adjourn the court of common pleas until the business of the court of general sessions shall have been concluded.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-5-20 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 14-5-20
SECTION 14-5-20. Seals of courts of common pleas.
Status: in_force

The courts of common pleas shall, at the expense of the State, have a seal for each county of an impression similar to that of the court of common pleas in Charleston County and uniform with that seal except that each seal shall in the legend have the name of the court in which it is used. Such seals shall always be affixed to such proceedings of the respective courts as may require the same.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-23-1090 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 23 / Article 9 / Section 14-23-1090
SECTION 14-23-1090. Appointment and removal of clerk.
Status: in_force

The judge of probate may appoint a clerk and may remove him at his pleasure.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-17-50 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 14-17-50
SECTION 14-17-50. Official oaths; commission shall be read and entered in journal.
Status: in_force

The clerk before entering on the duties of his office shall, in addition to the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution, take the oaths required of such officer by Section 8-3-20. Said oaths must be endorsed upon the commission, subscribed by the officer and attested by a magistrate or notary public of the county for which the clerk shall have been elected or appointed. At the opening of the first term of the court which may be held thereafter the clerk shall produce his commission, with the endorsement aforesaid, and after the same has been read in open court shall make a fair entry thereof in the journals of the court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-1-95 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 1 / Section 14-1-95
SECTION 14-1-95. Power of chief justice to adjust salary of judicial employees.
Status: in_force

Effective July 1, 1985, the Chief Justice is empowered to adjust salary levels of employees of the Judicial Department from funds appropriated to the Judicial Department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-230 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-230
SECTION 14-9-230. Solicitor shall decide forum in cases of concurrent jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

The circuit solicitor may direct what cases may be tried before the court of general sessions in all cases when such court has concurrent jurisdiction with the county court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 14-9-210 — SC Code / Title 14 / Chapter 9 / Section 14-9-210
SECTION 14-9-210. Indictments for county court cases by grand jury of court of general sessions.
Status: in_force

The county solicitor shall prepare and, through the presiding judge of the court of general sessions, submit to the grand jury, while in attendance upon the court of general sessions, bills of indictment in all cases pending in the county court in which the punishment may exceed a fine of one hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days, when such cases have not been previously acted on by the grand jury. The grand jury shall act thereon and report its action to the presiding judge of the court of general sessions and said judge shall direct the clerk of the court of general sessions to report the same to the presiding judge of the county court at its next ensuing term. All cases in which bills of indictment are so found shall stand for trial by the county court as though found by the grand jury while in attendance upon the county court.