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Supreme Court Seal
South Carolina
Judicial Branch

RULE 23
SEPARATION OF JURY

If it appears that jury deliberations may extend into the night, the court, in its discretion, may order that the jury be taken to suitable sleeping quarters; and on the following morning they shall resume their deliberations. The jury shall be kept together, separately from the public, and as far as practicable, shall at all times, be under the surveillance of bailiffs. Any juror or jurors may be separated for the night from any other juror or jurors. There shall be no unauthorized communication with any member of the jury by any third person and the jury shall be fully protected from any outside influence.

Note:

This replaces Circuit Court Rule 80. The language is taken from Rule 47(c), SCRCP, with minor modifications for clarity.