A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 17-15-175 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A JUDGE MAY NOT ISSUE A BENCH WARRANT FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR UNLESS THE SOLICITOR OR CLERK OF COURT HAS PROVIDED NOTICE TO THE ATTORNEY OF RECORD BEFORE ISSUING THE BENCH WARRANT.

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

SECTION 1.  Chapter 15, Title 17 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 17-15-175. After an initial appearance, a circuit court judge may not issue a general sessions court bench warrant for failure to appear in court upon motion by a solicitor, unless the solicitor has conspicuously posted a list of potential bench warrants at the appropriate courthouse and on the solicitor's internet website at least forty-eight hours before the bench warrant is requested.  This section does not apply if the presiding judge sua sponte issues the bench warrant for failure to appear or the person has been personally served with an appearance date.

SECTION 2.  The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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