TO AMEND SECTION 19-7-60, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO COMPELLING ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATUTE APPLY TO THE DEFENDANT'S AND THE STATE'S WITNESSES AND DO NOT APPLY ONLY TO COMPULSORY PROCESS INVOLVING MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 19-7-60 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 19-7-60. In all criminal prosecutions, both the accused defense and the State shall have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor. The compulsory process shall be in misdemeanors a subpoena under the official signature of the clerk of the court or other judicial officer. Such subpoena or a copy thereof of the subpoena shall be served upon the witness a reasonable time before such the witness is required to attend court. For any disobedience to such a subpoena, the court may punish for contempt."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.