Bill 3988

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               3988
Ratification Number:       707
Act Number                 610
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Subpoenas duces tecum

(A610, R707, H3988)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 17-7-175 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF A SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM BY A CORONER IN DEATH INVESTIGATIONS OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE REQUIRE THE INDIVIDUAL SUBPOENAED TO APPEAR AT THE INQUEST OR PROCEEDING IN ORDER TO PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS SUBPOENAED, AND TO PROVIDE CONTEMPT PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.

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

Subpoenas duces tecum

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 17-7-175. In addition to the authority contained in Section 17-7-170, a coroner also may issue subpoenas duces tecum to compel individuals to produce copies of documents or other materials which are relevant to a death investigation. Any law enforcement empowered to serve these subpoenas and receive copies of documents and other materials for return to the coroner. In the alternative, the coroner may require the individual subpoenaed to appear at the inquest or proceeding in order to produce copies of the documents or materials subpoenaed. Reasonable costs incurred to comply with this section must be paid by the county. Any person violating a subpoena duces tecum issued pursuant to this section may be punished for contempt as provided by Section 17-7-190."

Time effective

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