The Supreme Court of South Carolina
RE: Suspension of arrests of unexecuted family court issued bench warrants for the non-payment of child support and alimony
ORDER
On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency, and Governor Henry McMaster issued Executive Order No. 2020-08 declaring a State of Emergency, both based on a determination that the Coronavirus/COVID-19 ("COVID-19") poses an actual or imminent public health emergency. Since the declaration of the State of Emergency, Governor McMaster has issued subsequent Executive Orders curtailing public life.
As the administrative head of the Unified Judicial System, I find that the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 requires changes to the normal functioning of the South Carolina Judicial System.
Therefore, in order to protect the health and safety of our State's citizens, and
Pursuant to Article V, Section 4 of the South Carolina Constitution,
IT IS ORDERED, that any and all unexecuted bench warrants issued by Family Courts of this State, for the non-payment of child support and alimony, shall not be executed and no person subject to such bench warrants shall be arrested, for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this Order.
This Order is effectively immediately and remains in effect until modified or rescinded by order of the Chief Justice.
s/Donald W. Beatty Donald W. Beatty Chief Justice of South Carolina |
Columbia, South Carolina
April 10, 2020