The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-22
THE LAW AS TO JURIES.
How They Are Drawn And Who Arc
Eligible.

One of the best lawyers in the city
has assisted The Daily Mail in the
preparation of the following article
setting forth the law as to the draw
ing of juries.
The county auditor, county treasur-
er and clerk of the circuit and su-
perior courts constitute the board OF
jury commissioners (Sec. 29O9. Civil
Code); and they shall perform the
duties of the office without compen-
sation (Sec. 2s1O.)
On or before the 5th day Of Janu-
ary of each year the jury commits
sioners shall prepare a statement of
the number Of jurors to be in atten-
dance for each term of court during
the year . and the county com.
missioners shall, during the month OF
January prepare list of such le-
gally qualified voters (from the
books of the county board of regis
tration) not absolutely exempt. as
they think, well qualified to serve as
Jurors; of good moral character.
sound. Judgment. free from legal ex-
ceptions. from the county at large.
without regard to whether such per-
sons live within seven miles of the
court house. (sec. 2s11>.
When the list has thus been pre-
pared the jury commissioners shall
cause the names to be written on
slips. folded evenly and placed In the
jury box. to be furnished by the
county board of commissioners. (The
number OF names of qualified voters
placed in the box Is one third of the
total number of qualified voters in
the county after those who for any
reason are exempt. have been taken
out; in this county 2.000). The clerk
of court shall keep the box in his
custody and there shall be three keys
to the locks one for each member of
the board of jury commissioners.
(Sec. 2s12.)
Within fifteen days before the
commencement Of any regular, and
ten days before any special term Of
court. the clerk of the court Is re-
CURED to issue writs Of venire facias
for jurors, requiring their attendance
at the opening day Of court. (Sec.
2s13). These venires are to be deliv-
cred to the sheriff of the county, and
served by him without delay, upon
the county board Of commissio oners.
(Sec. 2s14.).
But, II 10 provided in the next sec
ton. 2s1S. Of the civil code, that
nothing In this chapter shall prevent
the clerk Of the court from issuing
venlres for additional Jurors in term
time when necessary for the conven-
ieEs dispatch of business. Such We
nires shall be served and returned,
and the Jurors required to attend on
such days as the court may direct .
All Jurors shall be selected by
drawing ballots from the jury box
md such persons. whose names are
so drawn, shall be returned to serve.
(sec. 2s1e.)
When the Jurors are drawn the
board of jury commissioners shall at
tend In the clerks Office In the pres
ence Of the sheriff I" and shall
draw from the box the number of
Jurors required. II a person so drawn
Is exempt by law. unable by sickness
or absence from home. or has served
on any jury, other than In court of
magistrate. his name shall be return
ed to the box and another drawn e
II the clerk or sheriff fail to at
tend. after due notice, the drawing
shall proceed without them. (Sec.
2s1O.
All jurors shall be drawn publicly
and no person who desires to be pres
ent. shall be excluded. (sec. 291s).
And the time for the drawing of ju-
rors shall be not more than twenty.
nor less than seven days before they
are required to attend. (Sec. 292O).
Not more than thirty-six persons, to
serve as petit Jurors, shall be drawn
and summoned to attend at the same
time at any court, unless the court
shall otherwise order. (Sec. 2921).
The sheriff Of the county shall
summon the jurors at least four days
5efore the time they are required to
attend. by reading to such jurors the
venire. or leaving written notification
thereof in the Jurors place of abode
and shall make return of the venirc