S.C. Code Ann. § 19-21-30 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 21 / Section 19-21-30
SECTION 19-21-30. Issuance of orders in action to perpetuate testimony.
Status: in_force

The court or judge at chambers having jurisdiction of the subject matter may hear, determine and grant all orders as will best subserve the purposes of the complaint and the preservation of the testimony sought without delay.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-40 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-40
SECTION 19-9-40. Ordering resident witness to attend out-of-state proceedings.
Status: in_force

If at a hearing the judge determines that the witness is material and necessary, that it will not cause undue hardship to the witness to be compelled to attend and testify in the prosecution or grand jury investigation in the other state and that the laws of the state in which the prosecution is pending or grand jury investigation has commenced or is about to commence and of any other state through which the witness may be required to pass by ordinary course of travel, will give to him protection from arrest and the service of civil and criminal process, he shall issue a summons, with a copy of the certificate attached, directing the witness to attend and testify in the court in which the prosecution is pending or in which a grand jury investigation has commenced or is about to commence at a time and place specified in the summons. In any such hearing the certificate shall be prima facie evidence of all the facts stated therein.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-90 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-90
SECTION 19-1-90. Admissibility in criminal proceeding of written statement made to public employee.
Status: in_force

Unless the provisions of Sections 8-15-50 and 19-1-80 have been complied with, no statement such as is referred to in those sections shall be admissible in evidence in any case, nor shall any reference be made to it in the trial of any case.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-20 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 19-5-20
SECTION 19-5-20. Notice required under Section 19-5-10.
Status: in_force

In case of possession of such paper by any adverse party or his agent or attorney no such paper shall be received in evidence unless two days' notice shall have been given to such adverse party or his attorney that a certified copy thereof will be offered in evidence unless the original be produced as required in such notice. But the time of giving notice herein to any such adverse party, his agent or attorney, may be lessened by the officer presiding at trial in which such certified copy may be offered.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-50 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 19-5-50
SECTION 19-5-50. Evidence of appointment of executors or administrators.
Status: in_force

The judge of probate, on application by the executor or administrator of any deceased person to whom letters testamentary or of administration have been granted, shall furnish a true copy of such order as he may make concerning the probate of the will or granting of administration, certified under his hand, which shall be sufficient evidence of the appointment of such executor or administrator in any such court in this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-130 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-130
SECTION 19-9-130. Rule of construction.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of the states which enact substantially identical legislation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-150 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-150
SECTION 19-1-150. Life expectancy tables.
Status: in_force

When necessary, in a civil action or other litigation, to establish the life expectancy of a person from any period in his life, whether he is living at the time or not, the table below must be received in all courts and by all persons having power to determine litigation as evidence, along with other evidence as to his health, constitution, and habits, of the life expectancy of the person. In determining the age of a person as of any particular time, periods of six months or more beyond the last full year must be treated as one year in using the table below. Editor's Note 2004 Act No. 209, SECTION 2, provides as follows: "The life expectancy table contained in this section is based on the 2001 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality Table developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners."
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-20 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-20
SECTION 19-1-20. "Clerk" defined.
Status: in_force

The word "clerk," as used in this title, signifies unless the context otherwise indicates, the clerk of the court where the action is pending.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-30 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-30
SECTION 19-1-30. Pleading shall not be evidence against accused.
Status: in_force

No pleading can be used in a criminal prosecution against the defendant as a proof of a fact admitted or alleged in such pleading.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-320 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 19-5-320
SECTION 19-5-320. Effect of report that person is missing, besieged, captured by the enemy or the like.
Status: in_force

An official written report or record, or duly certified copy thereof, that a person is missing, missing in action, interned in a neutral country, beleaguered, besieged or captured by an enemy or is dead or alive, made by any officer or employee of the United States authorized by the act referred to in Section 19-5-310 or by any other law of the United States to make the same shall be received in any court, office or other place in this State as prima facie evidence that such person is missing, missing in action, interned in a neutral country, beleaguered, besieged or captured by an enemy or is dead or alive, as the case may be.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-110 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-110
SECTION 19-1-110. Introduction of certain instruments or copies issued by common carriers.
Status: in_force

It shall be competent (a) to introduce in evidence as prima facie evidence that the same is genuine any instrument purporting to be the original of any waybill, receipt, bill of lading or similar instrument issued by any common carrier or (b) to introduce in evidence a copy of any such instrument as prima facie evidence that the same is a true and correct copy if the adverse party shall fail, upon due notice given, to produce the original instrument.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-3-160 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 19-3-160
SECTION 19-3-160. Proof of laws of other jurisdictions.
Status: in_force

The law of a jurisdiction other than those referred to in Section 19-3-120 shall be an issue for the court but shall not be subject to the foregoing provisions concerning judicial notice.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-3-150 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 19-3-150
SECTION 19-3-150. Parties also may present evidence of other United States laws; notice.
Status: in_force

Any party may also present to the trial court any admissible evidence of such laws but, to enable a party to offer evidence of the law in another jurisdiction or to ask that judicial notice be taken thereof, reasonable notice shall be given to the adverse parties either in the pleadings or otherwise.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-40 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 19-5-40
SECTION 19-5-40. Admissibility of certified photographic copy of instrument or record pertaining to business or government when original is lost or destroyed.
Status: in_force

Any certified or authenticated photographic copy of any instrument or record in writing used in or acquired in the conduct of business, or of government, in this State shall, upon certification that the original of such instrument or record has been lost or destroyed, be admitted in evidence in any court in this State as the original of such instrument or record would have been admitted when offered.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-7-50 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 7 / Section 19-7-50
SECTION 19-7-50. Means by which prisoners shall be brought into court as witnesses.
Status: in_force

Whenever it shall be necessary to bring any prisoner into court as a witness in any case the presiding judge may order such prisoner to be brought into court, without the necessity of a writ of habeas corpus. And when the said prisoner shall have given his evidence the judge shall cause him to be remanded to the custody of the officer to whose keeping he shall have been originally committed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-3-140 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 19-3-140
SECTION 19-3-140. Court shall determine other United States laws.
Status: in_force

The determination of such laws shall be made by the court and not by the jury and shall be reviewable.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-190 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-190
SECTION 19-1-190. South Carolina Unanticipated Medical Outcome Reconciliation Act; legislative purpose; definitions; inadmissibility of certain statements; waiver of inadmissibility; impact of South Carolina Rules of Evidence.
Status: in_force

(A) This section may be cited as the "South Carolina Unanticipated Medical Outcome Reconciliation Act". (B) The General Assembly finds that conduct, statements, or activity constituting voluntary offers of assistance or expressions of benevolence, regret, mistake, error, sympathy, or apology between or among parties or potential parties to a civil action should be encouraged and should not be considered an admission of liability. The General Assembly further finds that such conduct, statements, or activity should be particularly encouraged between health care providers, health care institutions, and patients experiencing an unanticipated outcome resulting from their medical care. Regulatory and accreditation agencies are in some instances requiring health care providers and health care institutions to discuss the outcomes of their medical care and treatment with their patients, including unanticipated outcomes, and studies have shown such discussions foster improved communications and respect between provider and patient, promote quicker recovery by the patient, and reduce the incidence of claims and lawsuits arising out of such unanticipated outcomes. The General Assembly, therefore, concludes certain steps should be taken to promote such conduct, statements, or activity by limiting their admissibility in civil actions. (C) As used in this section, the term: (1) "Ambulatory surgical facility" means a licensed, distinct, freestanding, self-contained entity that is organized, administered, equipped, and operated exclusively for the purpose of performing surgical procedures or related care, treatment, procedures, and/or services, by licensed health care providers or health care institutions, for which patients are scheduled to arrive, receive surgery or related care, treatment, procedures, and/or services, and be discharged on the same day. This term does not include abortion clinics. (2) "Designated meeting" means any meeting scheduled by the health care provider, representative or agent of a health care provider, or representative or agent of a health care institution: (a) to discuss the outcome including any unanticipated outcome of the provider or institution's medical care and treatment with the patient, patient's relative or representative; or (b) to offer an expression of benevolence, regret, mistake, error, sympathy, or apology between or among parties or potential parties to a civil action. (3) "Health care institution" means an ambulatory surgical facility, a hospital, an institutional general infirmary, a nursing home, or a renal dialysis facility. (4) "Health care provider" means a physician, surgeon, osteopath, nurse, oral surgeon, dentist, pharmacist, chiropractor, optometrist, podiatrist, or similar category of licensed health care provider, including a health care practice, association, partnership, or other legal entity. (5) "Hospital" means a licensed facility with an organized medical staff to maintain and operate organized facilities and services to accommodate two or more nonrelated persons for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of such persons over a period exceeding twenty-four hours and provides medical and surgical care of acute illness, injury, or infirmity and may provide obstetrical care, and in which all diagnoses, treatment, or care are administered by or performed under the direction of persons currently licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the State of South Carolina. This term includes a hospital that provides specialized service for one type of care, such as tuberculosis, maternity, or orthopedics. (6) "Institutional general infirmary" means a licensed facility which is established within the jurisdiction of a larger nonmedical institution and which maintains and operates organized facilities and services to accommodate two or more nonrelated students, residents, or inmates with illness, injury, or infirmity for a period exceeding twenty-four hours for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of such persons and which provides medical, surgical, and professional nursing care, and in which all diagnoses, treatment, or care are administered by or performed under the direction of persons currently licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the State of South Carolina. (7) "Nursing home" means a licensed facility with an organized nursing staff to maintain and operate organized facilities and services to accommodate two or more unrelated persons over a period exceeding twenty-four hours which is operated either in connection with a hospital or as a freestanding facility for the express or implied purpose of providing skilled nursing services for persons who are not in need of hospital care. This term does not include assisted living, independent living, or community residential care facilities that do not provide skilled nursing services. (8) "Renal dialysis facility" means an outpatient facility which offers staff assisted dialysis or training and supported services for self-dialysis to end-stage renal disease patients. (9) "Skilled nursing services" means services that: (a) are ordered by a physician; (b) require the skills of technical or professional personnel such as registered nurses, licensed practical (vocational) nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists or audiologists; and (c) are furnished directly by or under the supervision of such personnel. (10) "Unanticipated outcome" means the outcome of a medical treatment or procedure, whether or not resulting from an intentional act, that differs from an expected or intended result of such medical treatment or procedure. (D) In any claim or civil action brought by or on behalf of a patient allegedly experiencing an unanticipated outcome of medical care, any and all statements, affirmations, gestures, activities, or conduct expressing benevolence, regret, apology, sympathy, commiseration, condolence, compassion, mistake, error, or a general sense of benevolence which are made by a health care provider, an employee or agent of a health care provider, or by a health care institution to the patient, a relative of the patient, or a representative of the patient and which are made during a designated meeting to discuss the unanticipated outcome shall be inadmissible as evidence and shall not constitute an admission of liability or an admission against interest. (E) The defendant in a medical malpractice action may waive the inadmissibility of the statements defined in subsection (D) of this section. (F) Nothing in this section affects the South Carolina Rules of Evidence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-510 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 19-5-510
SECTION 19-5-510. Uniform Business Records as Evidence Act.
Status: in_force

The term "business" shall include every kind of business, profession, occupation, calling or operation of institutions, whether carried on for profit or not. A record of an act, condition or event shall, insofar as relevant, be competent evidence if the custodian or other qualified witness testifies to its identity and the mode of its preparation, and if it was made in the regular course of business, at or near the time of the act, condition or event and if, in the opinion of the court, the sources of information, method and time of preparation were such as to justify its admission. This section may be cited as the Uniform Business Records as Evidence Act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-20 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-20
SECTION 19-9-20. Definitions.
Status: in_force

"Witnesses" as used in this chapter shall include a person whose testimony is desired in any proceeding or investigation by a grand jury or in a criminal action, prosecution or proceeding. The word "state" shall include any territory of the United States and the District of Columbia. The word "summons" shall include a subpoena, order or other notice requiring the appearance of a witness.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-120 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-120
SECTION 19-1-120. Proving signature of absent witness to bond or note; effect of sworn denial of signature.
Status: in_force

The absence of a witness to any bond or note shall not be deemed a good cause by any court of justice for postponing a trial respecting the same, but the signature to such bond or note may be proved by other testimony, unless the defendant in his answer shall swear or affirm, according to the form of his religious profession, that the signature to the bond or note in suit is not his, or in case the defendant or defendants should be executors or administrators unless one of them shall swear or affirm, as aforesaid, in his answer that he has cause to believe the signature to such bond or note is not the testator's or intestate's, as the case may be.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-310 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 19-5-310
SECTION 19-5-310. Effect of finding of presumed death under Federal Missing Persons Act.
Status: in_force

A written finding of presumed death made by the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy or other officer or employee of the United States authorized to make such finding, pursuant to the Federal Missing Persons Act (56 Stat. 143, 1092, and P. L. 408, Ch. 371, 2d Sess. 78th Cong.) 50 U.S.C. App. 1001-1017, as now or hereafter amended, or a duly certified copy of such finding, shall be received in any court, office or other place in this State as prima facie evidence of the death of the person therein found to be dead and the date, circumstances and place of his disappearance.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-90 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-90
SECTION 19-9-90. Limit on time nonresident witness may be kept in State.
Status: in_force

A witness who has appeared in accordance with the provisions of the summons shall not be required to remain within this State a longer period of time than the period mentioned in the certificate, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-60 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 19-5-60
SECTION 19-5-60. Production of instruments required to be recorded as evidence of execution and recording.
Status: in_force

The production, without further or other proof, of the original of any instrument in writing, other than a will, required by law to be recorded shall be prima facie evidence of the execution and recording of such instrument if such instrument shall have been recorded in the manner and place and within the time prescribed by law for recording the same and the recording thereof shall have been certified by the clerk of court or register of deeds.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-80 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-80
SECTION 19-1-80. Conditions on examination of witness in criminal proceeding concerning written statement made to public employee.
Status: in_force

No witness in any preliminary hearing or in any criminal judicial proceeding of any kind or nature shall be examined or cross-examined by any examiner, solicitor, lawyer or prosecuting officer concerning a written statement formerly made and given to any person employed by this State, or any county, city or municipality thereof, or any part of any such governing body, unless it first be shown that at the time of the making of the statement the witness was given an exact copy of the statement, and that before his examination or cross-examination the witness was given a copy of the statement and allowed a reasonable time in which to read it.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-11-90 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-11-90
SECTION 19-11-90. Priest-penitent privilege.
Status: in_force

In any legal or quasi-legal trial, hearing or proceeding before any court, commission or committee no regular or duly ordained minister, priest or rabbi shall be required, in giving testimony, to disclose any confidential communication properly entrusted to him in his professional capacity and necessary and proper to enable him to discharge the functions of his office according to the usual course of practice or discipline of his church or religious body. This prohibition shall not apply to cases where the party in whose favor it is made waives the rights conferred.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-140 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-140
SECTION 19-1-140. Use of testimony in subsequent trials when witness is in armed forces.
Status: in_force

In all civil causes pending in the courts of this State when a witness has testified and has been cross-examined or the right given the opposing side to cross-examine him his testimony so given may be read in all subsequent trials or hearings concerning the same cause when such witness is in the armed forces of our country.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-11-20 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-11-20
SECTION 19-11-20. "Dead man's" statute.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of SECTION 19-11-10, no party to an action or proceeding, no person who has a legal or equitable interest which may be affected by the event of the action or proceeding, no person who, previous to such examination, has had such an interest, however the same may have been transferred or come to the party to the action or proceeding, and no assignor of anything in controversy in the action shall be examined in regard to any transaction or communication between such witness and a person at the time of such examination deceased, insane or lunatic as a witness against a party then prosecuting or defending the action as executor, administrator, heir-at-law, next of kin, assignee, legatee, devisee or survivor of such deceased person or as assignee or committee of such insane person or lunatic, when such examination or any judgment or determination in such action or proceeding can in any manner affect the interest of such witness or the interest previously owned or represented by him. But when such executor, administrator, heir-at-law, next of kin, assignee, legatee, devisee, survivor or committee shall be examined on his own behalf in regard to such transaction or communication or when testimony of such deceased or insane person or lunatic in regard to such transaction or communication, however the same may have been perpetuated or made competent, shall be given in evidence on the trial or hearing in behalf of such executor, administrator, heir-at-law, next of kin, assignee, legatee, devisee, survivor or committee, then all other persons not otherwise rendered incompetent shall be made competent witnesses in relation to such transaction or communication on said trial or hearing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-30 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 19-5-30
SECTION 19-5-30. Admissibility of photostatic or certified copies of certain motor vehicle records.
Status: in_force

Photostatic, optical disk, or certified copies of motor vehicle registration applications, registrations, notices of cancellation, suspensions or revocations, reports of violations, and documents pertaining to the motor vehicle safety responsibility laws of this State, when certified by the director of the Department of Motor Vehicles, or his designee, as true copies of originals, on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be admissible in any proceedings in any court in like manner as the original thereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-30 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-30
SECTION 19-9-30. Holding of hearing when resident is wanted as witness in another state.
Status: in_force

If a judge of a court of record in any state which by its laws has made provision for commanding persons within that state to attend and testify in this State certifies under the seal of such court that there is a criminal prosecution pending in such court or that a grand jury investigation has commenced or is about to commence, that a person being within this State is a material witness in such prosecution or grand jury investigation and that his presence will be required for a specified number of days, upon presentation of such certificate to any judge of a court of record in the county in which such person is, such judge shall fix a time and place for a hearing and shall make an order directing the witness to appear at a time and place certain for the hearing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-230 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 19-5-230
SECTION 19-5-230. Foreign evidences of debt shall be admissible only on basis of reciprocity.
Status: in_force

No testimonial, probate, certificate or other instrument under the seal of any foreign court of law, notary public or other magistrate or person qualified and empowered to give the same shall be received in the courts of the State as evidence of any debt or demand owing by any person resident within the limits of this State unless it shall appear to the court that testimonials, probates, certificates or other instruments of writing for the purposes aforesaid which shall be issued from any of the courts of this State or by any of the officers thereof authorized and empowered to give the same are received and allowed as evidence in the courts of such foreign country.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-60 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-60
SECTION 19-9-60. Penalty for failure to attend as witness out of state.
Status: in_force

If the witness who is summoned as provided in Section 19-9-40, after being paid or tendered by some properly authorized person the sum of ten cents a mile for each mile by the ordinary traveled route to and from the court where the prosecution is pending and five dollars each day that he is required to travel and attend as a witness, fails without good cause to attend and testify as directed in the summons, he shall be punished in the manner provided for the punishment of any witness who disobeys a summons issued from a court of record in this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-3-120 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 19-3-120
SECTION 19-3-120. Judicial notice of laws of other United States jurisdictions.
Status: in_force

Every court of this State shall take judicial notice of the common law and statutes of every state, territory and other jurisdiction of the United States when such common law or statutes shall have been put in issue by the pleadings.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-3-110 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 19-3-110
SECTION 19-3-110. Short title.
Status: in_force

This article may be cited as the "Uniform Judicial Notice of Foreign Law Act."
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-7-60 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 7 / Section 19-7-60
SECTION 19-7-60. Process to compel attendance of criminal defendant's witnesses; sanctions for disobedience.
Status: in_force

In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor. The compulsory process shall be in misdemeanors a subpoena under the official signature of the clerk of the court or other judicial officer. Such subpoena or a copy thereof shall be served upon the witness a reasonable time before such witness is required to attend court. For any disobedience to such subpoena the court may punish for contempt.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-21-20 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 21 / Section 19-21-20
SECTION 19-21-20. Perpetuation of testimony as to lost, destroyed, or defective instruments.
Status: in_force

Any person interested in the preservation of the contents of any deed, release, private writing usually put on record or document alleged to have been lost, destroyed or defective in the record thereof and desiring to preserve the evidence thereof for any purpose may, by summons and complaint as provided by Title 15, institute an action in the court of common pleas to perpetuate testimony as to the existence and true contents of the same. In such complaint the defects, if any, complained of in the record shall be substantially set forth and to such action all persons interested or known or supposed to claim an interest in the property to which such testimony may relate shall be made parties defendant and served with summons as provided by law in civil actions.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-11-30 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-11-30
SECTION 19-11-30. Competency of husband or wife of party as witness.
Status: in_force

In any trial or inquiry in any suit, action, or proceeding in any court or before any person having, by law or consent of the parties, authority to examine witnesses or hear evidence, no husband or wife may be required to disclose any confidential or, in a criminal proceeding, any communication made by one to the other during their marriage. Notwithstanding the above provisions, a husband or wife is required to disclose any communication, confidential or otherwise, made by one to the other during their marriage where the suit, action, or proceeding concerns or is based on child abuse or neglect, the death of a child, or criminal sexual conduct involving a minor.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-70 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 19-5-70
SECTION 19-5-70. Applicability of foregoing section when fraud is alleged.
Status: in_force

The provisions of Section 19-5-60 shall not apply when any such recorded instrument is assailed or attacked on the ground of fraud in its execution if at least ten days' previous notice in writing of such ground by a pleading or otherwise duly sworn to shall have been given by the party or his attorney so assailing or attacking such instrument to the opposite party or his attorneys.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-21-40 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 21 / Section 19-21-40
SECTION 19-21-40. Recordation and force and effect of perpetuated testimony.
Status: in_force

The evidence so taken shall be preserved, and the parties may have the same recorded in the office to which the same may relate. And such evidence so taken, preserved and recorded shall be received in all courts, subject to the same rules as to competency and credibility as any other evidence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-11-50 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-11-50
SECTION 19-11-50. Testimony of defendant in criminal cases.
Status: in_force

The testimony of a defendant in a criminal case shall not be afterwards used against the defendant in any other criminal case, except upon an indictment for perjury founded on that testimony.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-10 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-10
SECTION 19-9-10. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as "Uniform Act to Secure the Attendance of Witnesses from Without a State in Criminal Proceedings."
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-21-50 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 21 / Section 19-21-50
SECTION 19-21-50. Proof of lost papers other than by perpetuation of testimony.
Status: in_force

Nothing herein contained shall prevent anyone from establishing on the trial of any cause any lost papers, according to the rules of evidence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-180 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-180
SECTION 19-1-180. Out-of-court statements by certain children.
Status: in_force

(A) An out-of-court statement made by a child who is under twelve years of age or who functions cognitively, adaptively, or developmentally under the age of twelve at the time of a family court proceeding brought pursuant to Title 63 concerning an act of alleged abuse or neglect as defined by Section 63-7-20 is admissible in the family court proceeding if the requirements of this section are met regardless of whether the statement would be otherwise inadmissible. (B) An out-of-court statement may be admitted as provided in subsection (A) if: (1) the child testifies at the proceeding or testifies by means of videotaped deposition or closed-circuit television, and at the time of the testimony the child is subject to cross-examination about the statement; or (2)(a) the child is found by the court to be unavailable to testify on any of these grounds: (i) the child's death; (ii) the child's physical or mental disability; (iii) the existence of a privilege involving the child; (iv) the child's incompetency, including the child's inability to communicate about the offense because of fear; (v) substantial likelihood that the child would suffer severe emotional trauma from testifying at the proceeding or by means of videotaped deposition or closed-circuit television; and (b) the child's out-of-court statement is shown to possess particularized guarantees of trustworthiness. (C) The proponent of the statement shall inform the adverse party of the proponent's intention to offer the statement and the content of the statement sufficiently in advance of the proceeding to provide the defendant with a fair opportunity to prepare a response to the statement before the proceeding at which it is offered. If the child is twelve years of age or older, the adverse party may challenge the professional decision that the child functions cognitively, adaptively, or developmentally under the age of twelve. (D) In determining whether a statement possesses particularized guarantees of trustworthiness under subsection (B)(2)(b), the court may consider, but is not limited to, the following factors: (1) the child's personal knowledge of the event; (2) the age and maturity of the child; (3) certainty that the statement was made, including the credibility of the person testifying about the statement; (4) any apparent motive the child may have to falsify or distort the event, including bias, corruption, or coercion; (5) whether more than one person heard the statement; (6) whether the child was suffering pain or distress when making the statement; (7) the nature and duration of any alleged abuse; (8) whether the child's young age makes it unlikely that the child fabricated a statement that represents a graphic, detailed account beyond the child's knowledge and experience; (9) whether the statement has a ring of verity, has internal consistency or coherence, and uses terminology appropriate to the child's age; (10) whether extrinsic evidence exists to show the defendant's opportunity to commit the act complained of in the child's statement. (E) The court shall support with findings on the record any rulings pertaining to the child's unavailability and the trustworthiness of the out-of-court statement. (F) Any hearsay testimony admissible under this section shall not be admissible in any other proceeding. (G) If the parents of the child are separated or divorced, the hearsay statement shall be inadmissible if (1) one of the parents is the alleged perpetrator of the alleged abuse or neglect and (2) the allegation was made after the parties separated or divorced. Notwithstanding this subsection, a statement alleging abuse or neglect made by a child to a law enforcement official, an officer of the court, a licensed family counselor or therapist, a physician or other health care provider, a teacher, a school counselor, a Department of Social Services staff member, or to a child care worker in a regulated child care facility is admissible under this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-3-130 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 19-3-130
SECTION 19-3-130. Means by which court may inform itself of other United States laws.
Status: in_force

The court may inform itself of such laws in such manner as it may deem proper and may call upon counsel to aid it in obtaining such information.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-610 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 11 / Section 19-5-610
SECTION 19-5-610. Uniform Photographic Copies of Business and Public Records as Evidence Act.
Status: in_force

If any business, institution, member of a profession or calling, or any department or agency of government, in the regular course of business or activity has kept or recorded any memorandum, writing, entry, print, representation or combination thereof, of any act, transaction, occurrence or event, and in the regular course of business has caused any or all of the same to be recorded, copied or reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, microcard, miniature photographic or other process which accurately reproduces or forms a durable medium for so reproducing the original, the original may be destroyed in the regular course of business unless held in a custodial or fiduciary capacity or unless its preservation is required by law. Such reproduction, when satisfactorily identified is as admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding whether the original is in existence or not and an enlargement or facsimile of such reproduction is likewise admissible in evidence if the original reproduction is in existence and available for inspection under direction of court. The introduction of a reproduced record, enlargement or facsimile does not preclude admission of the original. This section shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose of making uniform the law of those states which enact or adopt it. This section may be cited as the Uniform Photographic Copies of Business and Public Records as Evidence Act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-220 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 19-5-220
SECTION 19-5-220. Proof of various instruments.
Status: in_force

All exemplifications of records, all deeds and bonds or other specialities, all letters of attorney, procuration, or other powers in writing and all testimonials which shall at any time be produced in any of the courts of this State and shall be attested to have been proved, upon oath, under the corporation seal of any mayor or chief officer of any city, borough or town corporate in any foreign state, under the hand of the governor and public seal of any state in the United States or under the notarial seal of any notary public shall be deemed and adjudged good and sufficient in law in any of the courts of judicature in this State, as if the witnesses to such deeds were produced and proved the same viva voce, except as herein otherwise provided.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-60 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-60
SECTION 19-1-60. Request for admission of authenticity of documents and other papers.
Status: in_force

Either party to a civil action may exhibit to the other or to his attorney at any time before the trial any paper material to the action and request an admission of its genuineness in writing. If the adverse party or his attorney fail to give the admission within four days after the request, and if the party exhibiting the paper be afterwards put to expense in order to prove its genuineness and the same be finally proved or admitted on the trial, such expense shall be paid by the party refusing the admission, unless it appear to the satisfaction of the court that there was good reason for the refusal.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-330 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 19-5-330
SECTION 19-5-330. Signature of reports or copies shall prima facie be deemed authorized.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Sections 19-5-310 and 19-5-320 any finding, report or record, or duly certified copy thereof, purporting to have been signed by such officer or employee of the United States as is described in said sections, shall prima facie be deemed to have been signed and issued by such an officer or employee pursuant to law, and the person signing the same shall prima facie be deemed to have acted within the scope of his authority. If a copy purports to have been certified by a person authorized by law to certify the same such certified copy shall be prima facie evidence of his authority so to certify.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-11-95 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-11-95
SECTION 19-11-95. Confidences of patients of mental illness or emotional conditions.
Status: in_force

(A) For purposes of this section: (1) "Provider" means a person licensed under the provisions of any of the following and who enters into a relationship with a patient to provide diagnosis, counseling, or treatment of a mental illness or emotional condition: (a) Chapter 55, Title 40; (b) Chapter 75, Title 40; (c) Section 40-63-70 as a licensed master social worker or a licensed independent social worker; (d) Section 40-33-10 as a registered nurse who meets the requirements of a clinical nurse specialist and who works in the field of mental health. (2) "Patient" means a person who consults or is interviewed by a provider to diagnose, counsel, or treat a mental illness or emotional condition as authorized in subsection (A)(1). (3) "Confidence" is a private communication between a patient and a provider or information given to a provider in the patient-provider relationship. (4) "Written authorization after disclosure", or a similar phrase, includes an authorization in the application or claims procedure of an insurer or a person providing a plan of benefits. (5) "Mental illness or emotional condition" is defined consistent with accepted diagnostic practices. (B) Except when permitted or required by statutory or other law, a provider knowingly may not: (1) reveal a confidence of his patient; (2) use a confidence of his patient to the disadvantage of the patient; (3) use a confidence of his patient for the advantage of himself or of a third person, unless the patient gives written authorization after disclosure to him of what confidence is to be used and how it is to be used. (C) A provider may reveal: (1) confidences with the written authorization of the patient or patients affected, but only after disclosure to them of what confidences are to be revealed and to whom they will be revealed; (2) confidences when allowed by statute or other law; (3) the intention of the patient to commit a crime or harm himself and the information necessary to prevent the crime or harm; (4) confidences reasonably necessary to establish or collect his fee or to defend himself or his employees against an accusation of wrongful conduct; (5) in the course of diagnosis, counseling, or treatment, confidences necessary to promote care within the generally recognized and accepted standards, practices, and procedures of the provider's profession; (6) confidences in proceedings conducted in accord with Sections 40-71-10 and 40-71-20; (7) confidences with the written authorization of the patient or patients affected for processing their health insurance claims, but only after disclosure to them of what confidences are to be revealed and to whom they will be revealed. (D) A provider shall reveal: (1) confidences when required by statutory law or by court order for good cause shown to the extent that the patient's care and treatment or the nature and extent of his mental illness or emotional condition are reasonably at issue in a proceeding; provided, however, confidences revealed shall not be used as evidence of grounds for divorce; (2) confidences pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena by a duly constituted professional licensing or disciplinary board or panel; (3) confidences when an investigation, trial, hearing, or other proceeding by a professional licensing or disciplinary board or panel involves the question of granting a professional license or the possible revocation, suspension, or other limitation of a professional license. (E) A disclosure pursuant to subsection (C) or (D) is limited to the information and the recipients necessary to accomplish the purpose of the subsection permitting the disclosure. (F) A person to whom a disclosure is made pursuant to subsections (C)(1), (5), and (7), an employee to whom a disclosure is made pursuant to subsection (G), and any other person to whom a confidence, written or oral, is disclosed by a provider are bound by the same duty of confidentiality as the provider from whom he received the information. (G) A provider shall exercise reasonable care to prevent his employees, associates, and others whose services are utilized by him from disclosing or using confidences of a patient, except that a provider may reveal the information allowed by subsections (C) and (D) through an employee. (H) A provider releasing a confidence under the written authorization of the patient or under the provisions of this section is not liable to the patient or other person for release of the confidence to the person authorized to receive it; provided, however, a patient has a cause of action for damages against a provider, associate, agent, employee, or any other person who intentionally, wilfully, or with gross negligence violates the provisions of this section. (I) Nothing in this section alters the existing requirements of nonproviders to preserve confidences or the requirements of providers subject to Sections 44-23-1090 and 44-52-190.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-120 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-120
SECTION 19-9-120. Witnesses passing through State shall not be subject to arrest or service of process.
Status: in_force

If a person passes through this State while going to another state in obedience to a summons to attend and testify in that state or while returning therefrom, he shall not while so passing through this State be subject to arrest or the service of process, civil or criminal, in connection with matters which arose before his entrance into this State under the summons.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-520 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 19-5-520
SECTION 19-5-520. Certified business records.
Status: in_force

In addition to those matters provided by Rule 902, South Carolina Rules of Evidence, extrinsic evidence of authenticity as a condition precedent to admissibility is not required with respect to the following: (A) The original or a copy of a domestic record that meets the requirements of Rule 803(6), South Carolina Rules of Evidence, as shown by a certification of the custodian or another qualified person that complies with a state statute or a court rule. Before the trial or hearing, the proponent shall give an adverse party reasonable written notice of the intent to offer the record and shall make the record and certification available for inspection so that the party has a fair opportunity to challenge the record. (B) In a civil case, the original or a copy of a foreign record that is certified by the custodian or another qualified person and otherwise meets the requirements of subsection (A), modified as follows: the certification, rather than complying with a state statute or court rule, must be signed in a manner that, if falsely made, would subject the maker to a criminal penalty in the jurisdiction where the certification is signed. The proponent also shall meet the notice requirements of subsection (A).
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-3-180 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 19-3-180
SECTION 19-3-180. Rule of construction.
Status: in_force

This article shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which enact substantially identical legislation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-160 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-160
SECTION 19-1-160. Nonsealed instruments may be considered as sealed.
Status: in_force

Whenever it shall appear from the attestation clause or from any other part of any instrument in writing that it was the intention of the party or parties thereto that such instrument should be a sealed instrument then such instrument shall be construed to be, and shall have the effect of, a sealed instrument although no seal be actually attached thereto.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-110 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-110
SECTION 19-9-110. Nonresident witness shall not be subject to arrest or service of process.
Status: in_force

If a person comes into this State in obedience to a summons directing him to attend and testify in this State, he shall not, while in this State pursuant to such summons, be subject to arrest or the service of process, civil or criminal, in connection with matters which arose before his entrance into this State under the summons.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-10 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 19-5-10
SECTION 19-5-10. Admissibility of certified copies or certified photostatic copies of documents.
Status: in_force

When the original of any instrument, document or other paper is required or authorized by law to be recorded or is kept on file in any public office of the United States or any agency thereof, the State of South Carolina or any agency thereof or any political subdivision of this State and the original of any such paper is required to be kept on file in any such office, is in the possession of any adverse party or has been lost or destroyed, a certified copy of the record of such paper, if it has been recorded, or copy of such paper, certified by the lawful custodian thereof, if it is kept on file in any such office, must be received in evidence in any court of competent jurisdiction in lieu of the original of such paper. A certified photostatic copy of any such paper may be used in lieu of a certified copy thereof, and such certified photostatic copy shall in all respects be treated as a certified copy under the provisions of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-50 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-50
SECTION 19-9-50. Delivery of witness to custody of officer of requesting state.
Status: in_force

If said certificate recommends that the witness be taken into immediate custody and delivered to an officer of the requesting state to assure his attendance in the requesting state, such judge may, in lieu of notification of the hearing, direct that such witness be forthwith brought before him for such hearing. And the judge at the hearing, being satisfied of the desirability of such custody and delivery, for which determination the certificate shall be prima facie proof of such desirability, may, in lieu of issuing a subpoena or summons, order that such witness be forthwith taken into custody and delivered to an officer of the requesting state.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-100 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-100
SECTION 19-9-100. Penalty for failure to attend as witness in this State.
Status: in_force

If such witness after coming into this State fails without good cause to attend and testify as directed in the summons, he shall be punished in the manner provided for the punishment of any witness who disobeys a summons issued from a court of record in this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-11-80 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-11-80
SECTION 19-11-80. Privilege against self-incrimination.
Status: in_force

No person shall be required to answer any question tending to incriminate himself.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-5-210 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 19-5-210
SECTION 19-5-210. Admissibility of certified copies of grants issued by North Carolina.
Status: in_force

It shall be lawful, in every court of this State, for any party, plaintiff or defendant, to produce in evidence certified copies of grants under the authority of the state of North Carolina; provided, however, that the person or persons so applying to produce an office copy of a grant in evidence swear that the original grant is lost, destroyed or out of his power to produce and that he has not destroyed, mislaid or in any way willingly, previous to that time, put it out of his power to produce the same with an intention to produce an office copy of the same in evidence. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to deprive any person in possession of the original grant of any advantage he would have had or derived from possessing the same in case this section had never been passed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-11-100 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-11-100
SECTION 19-11-100. Qualified privilege against disclosure for news media; waiver.
Status: in_force

(A) A person, company, or entity engaged in or that has been engaged in the gathering and dissemination of news for the public through a newspaper, book, magazine, radio, television, news or wire service, or other medium has a qualified privilege against disclosure of any information, document, or item obtained or prepared in the gathering or dissemination of news in any judicial, legislative, or administrative proceeding in which the compelled disclosure is sought and where the one asserting the privilege is not a party in interest to the proceeding. (B) The person, company, or other entity may not be compelled to disclose any information or document or produce any item obtained or prepared in the gathering or dissemination of news unless the party seeking to compel the production or testimony establishes by clear and convincing evidence that this privilege has been knowingly waived or that the testimony or production sought: (1) is material and relevant to the controversy for which the testimony or production is sought; (2) cannot be reasonably obtained by alternative means; and (3) is necessary to the proper preparation or presentation of the case of a party seeking the information, document, or item. (C) Publication of any information, document, or item obtained in the gathering and dissemination of news does not constitute a waiver of the qualified privilege against compelled disclosure provided for in this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-10 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-10
SECTION 19-1-10. 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. § 19-21-10 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 21 / Section 19-21-10
SECTION 19-21-10. Substituting new records for lost, destroyed, or abstracted records of decrees and judgments.
Status: in_force

The plaintiff in any judgment or decree, the record whereof has been destroyed, abstracted or lost, or his personal representatives, or other person claiming under or through them, or any of them, or any person whatever having an interest in the preservation of the evidence of such judgment or decree, may upon notice of not less than twenty-one days, served as a summons in actions is now served pursuant to law, upon the defendant therein or upon those upon whom his liability has devolved, or others interested to oppose the application, apply to the court in which such judgment or decree was rendered for leave to substitute a new record. If, upon hearing the evidence on each side, the court is satisfied of the existence and loss of such record, an order for leave to substitute shall be made, conforming as nearly as possible in all respects to the lost, abstracted or destroyed record; and if it be for the payment of money, the balance due thereon and date of lien, if any, shall be made to appear thereon. Such substituted record shall be good and valid in law to all intents and purposes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-3-170 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 19-3-170
SECTION 19-3-170. No evidence of foreign law shall be received or noticed judicially unless pleaded.
Status: in_force

No foreign law shall be received in evidence nor shall any court in this State take judicial notice of any foreign law unless such foreign law shall have been appropriately pleaded in the cause in the manner provided by law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-100 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-100
SECTION 19-1-100. No statement shall be used for impeachment in civil proceeding unless copy furnished when signed.
Status: in_force

No statement taken from and signed by a witness or litigant after July 1, 1966 shall be used in any civil judicial proceeding for the purpose of contradicting, impeaching or attacking the credibility of such a witness or litigant, unless such party shall have been furnished a copy of said statement at the time of its signing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-3-10 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 19-3-10
SECTION 19-3-10. Proof of ordinances of municipalities.
Status: in_force

In all the courts held in this State the printed ordinances of the municipalities in the State, whether they be in pamphlet or book form, shall be admitted into evidence in such courts and shall constitute prima facie evidence of the genuineness of the same, provided the clerk of such municipality certifies to the correctness of the same.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-21-60 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 21 / Section 19-21-60
SECTION 19-21-60. Costs.
Status: in_force

The costs of such proceedings as shall be had under the provisions of this chapter shall be in the discretion of the presiding judge.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-130 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-130
SECTION 19-1-130. Situations in which notary's protest is sufficient evidence.
Status: in_force

Whenever a notary public who may have made protest for nonpayment of any inland bill or promissory note shall be dead or shall reside out of the county in which the bill or note is sued his protest of such bill or note shall be received as sufficient evidence of notice in any action by any person whatsoever against any of the parties to such bill or note.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-1-70 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-1-70
SECTION 19-1-70. Proof of negligence by plaintiff in certain motor vehicle cases.
Status: in_force

The provisions of Chapter 5, Title 56 declaring prima facie speed limitations shall not be construed to relieve the plaintiff in any civil action from the burden of proving negligence on the part of the defendant as the proximate cause of the accident.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-70 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-70
SECTION 19-9-70. Request by this State for witness from reciprocating state.
Status: in_force

If a person in any state which by its laws has made provision for commanding persons within its borders to attend and testify in criminal prosecutions or grand jury investigations commenced or about to commence in this State is a material witness in a prosecution pending in a court of record in this State or in a grand jury investigation which has commenced or is about to commence, a judge of such court may issue a certificate under the seal of the court stating these facts and specifying the number of days the witness will be required. Such certificate may include a recommendation that the witness be taken into immediate custody and delivered to an officer of this State to assure his attendance in this State. The certificate shall be presented to a judge of a court of record in the county in which the witness is found.
S.C. Code Ann. § 19-9-80 — SC Code / Title 19 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9-80
SECTION 19-9-80. Costs and fees paid to nonresident witness.
Status: in_force

If the witness is summoned to attend and testify in this State he shall be tendered the sum of ten cents a mile for each mile by the ordinary traveled route to and from the court where the prosecution is pending and five dollars for each day that he is required to travel and attend as a witness.