The text
Sec. 20-1. - Establishment.#
Pursuant to S.C. Code 1976, § 14-25-5, the council establishes a municipal court for the trial and determination of all cases arising under the ordinances of the town.
(Code 1995, § 2.36.010; Code 2006, § 35.01; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 20-2. - Powers, duties and jurisdiction.#
The municipal court shall have jurisdiction to try all cases arising under the ordinances of the town. 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 by state statute. The court shall have no jurisdiction in civil matters.
(Code 1995, § 2.36.020; Code 2006, § 35.02; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 20-3. - Municipal judge; clerk of court; appointment.#
(a)
The council, with the advice of the administrator, shall appoint a municipal judge for a two-year term. The municipal judge shall continue to serve upon the expiration of the term until a successor is appointed and qualified. The council shall fix the compensation for the municipal judge.
(b)
The municipal court clerk is appointed as the clerk of court. The clerk of court may be assisted by other town personnel as needed to ensure efficient operation of the municipal court.
(Code 1995, § 2.36.030; Code 2006, § 35.03; Ord. of 3-16-1995; Ord. No. 08-2009, 6-4-2009)
Sec. 20-4. - Stenographer.#
Any party shall have the right to have the testimony given at a jury trial in municipal court taken stenographically or mechanically by a reporter to be appointed by the municipal judge. 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.
(Code 1995, § 2.36.040; Code 2006, § 35.04)
Sec. 20-5. - Sessions.#
The mayor and council shall establish a regular time and place for the municipal court to hold sessions.
(Code 1995, § 2.36.050; Code 2006, § 35.05)
Sec. 20-6. - Jury commissioners and duties.#
The mayor and council shall be the jury commissioners of the town. The jury commissioners shall, within the first 30 days of each year, prepare a box to be known as the jury box. The box shall contain two compartments, designated as A and B, respectively.
(Code 1995, § 2.36.060; Code 2006, § 35.06; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 20-7. - Drawing and composing juries; single trials, trial terms.#
(a)
The drawing and composing of juries for single trials or terms of court shall be conducted according to the statutes relating to the drawing and composing of juries in magistrates' court except as otherwise provided by S.C. Code 1976, § 14-25-165.
(b)
Jurors may be drawn and summoned by computer as permitted by the state supreme court.
(Code 1995, § 2.36.070; Code 2006, § 35.07; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 20-8. - Subsequent drawings.#
After a jury has been drawn in the manner provided in section 20-7, all the names drawn from compartment A of the jury box shall be placed in compartment B of the jury box. When all of the names in compartment A are exhausted, all of the names from compartment B shall be transferred to compartment A, and thereafter, juries shall be drawn as provided in this chapter.
(Code 1995, § 2.36.080; Code 2006, § 35.08)