Bill > H3060

This bill amends South Carolina law to require a courtesy summons in specific legal scenarios involving criminal charges. Specifically, when a defendant's charges are initially dismissed or "nol prossed" (voluntarily dropped by the prosecutor) after a preliminary hearing, and that same defendant is subsequently indicted by a local or state grand jury on the original or substantially similar charges, the court must issue a courtesy summons instead of an arrest warrant. A courtesy summons is a less aggressive method of notifying a defendant to appear in court, which allows the individual to come to court voluntarily rather than being arrested. This provision aims to provide a more respectful and less disruptive legal process for defendants who are re-charged after an initial dismissal, potentially reducing unnecessary arrests and the associated stress and public exposure. The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving the Governor's approval.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3060&session=126&summary=B