Bill 456

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               456
Ratification Number:       321
Act Number                 313
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Jury selection

(A313, R321, S456)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 17-21-85 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A CIRCUIT JUDGE TO ORDER THAT JURY SELECTION IN A CRIMINAL CASE BE CONDUCTED IN ANOTHER COUNTY AND THE JURY, WHEN SELECTED, BE TRANSPORTED FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIAL TO THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE TRIAL OCCURS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Jury selection

SECTION 1. Chapter 21 of Title 17 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 17-21-85. A circuit judge may, in a criminal case in which he determines that an unbiased jury cannot be selected in the county in which the defendant was indicted, order that jury selection go forward in some other county and the jury, when selected, be transported to the county in which the indictment was returned for the duration of the trial. In making a determination whether to proceed as allowed by this section or to order a change of venue for a trial, the court shall consider all the logistical and expense elements and, consistent with the demands of justice, choose the method that results in the least expense and greatest convenience for all parties involved in the case. All expenses of jury selection in another county must be paid by the county in which the trial occurs."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Approved the 31st day of January, 1990.