Except as otherwise expressly provided by general law, the fees and commissions of sheriffs are as follows:
(a) There must be paid as commissions on all monies collected by the sheriff of a county, if under five hundred dollars, seven and one-half percent, and, if over that amount, seven and one-half percent on the first five hundred dollars and three percent on the balance above that amount.
(b) For service of any civil process, not otherwise herein specified, the fee is fifteen dollars for each initial service and five dollars for each attempted service thereafter. However, the sheriff may not charge for more than two attempted services on the same matter so that the party, or his attorney, making the service in the matter may not be charged any more than a maximum total of twenty-five dollars, namely, for two attempted services and one initial or actual service.
(c) For claim and delivery, writs of assistance, distress warrants, orders of seizure, and executions, including all procedural matters related to these processes, the fee is twenty-five dollars.
(d) For mechanics' liens, attachments, citations, decrees, summons, and complaints, the fee is fifteen dollars for each initial service and five dollars for each attempted service thereafter; however, the sheriff may not charge for more than two attempted services on the same matter so that the party, or his attorney, making the service in the matter may not be charged any more than a maximum total of twenty-five dollars, namely, for two attempted services and one initial or actual service. For each subpoena writ, the fee is ten dollars for each initial service and five dollars for each attempted service thereafter; however, the sheriff may not charge for more than two attempted services on the same matter so that the party, or his attorney, making the service in the matter may not be charged any more than a maximum total of twenty dollars, namely, for two attempted services and one initial or actual service.
(e) All additional expenses incurred as a necessary part of the service set forth in items (a), (b), (c), and (d), including, but not limited to, towing fees, wrecker service, storage fees, and fees for publication must be charged at actual cost in addition to the fees set forth above. For the service or execution of papers issued by a magistrate, the sheriff or his deputy serving or executing the same is allowed the same fees as are allowed to constables.
(f) All monies collected under this section must be deposited into the treasury of that county employing the sheriff collecting those monies.
The provisions of this section do not apply to criminal processes or cases.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 27-401; 1952 Code Section 27-401; 1942 Code Section 4950; 1932 Code Section 4950; Civ. C. '22 Section 5753; Civ. C. '12 Section 4230; Civ. C. '02 Section 3118; G. S. 2437; R. S. 2561; 1894 (21) 971; 1898 (22) 740; 1905 (24) 879; 1922 (32) 917; 1932 (37) 1122; 1936 (39) 1416; 1945 (44) 208; 1985 Act No. 163, Section 1; 1986 Act No. 397, Section 1; 1987 Act No. 66, Section 1.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 23 - Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Chapter 19 - Sheriffs' Fees And Accounting With Successor
Section 23-19-10. Fees of sheriffs generally.
Section 23-19-20. County and municipality charge for federal prisoners.
Section 23-19-110. Furniture, books, papers and other property.
Section 23-19-120. Commissions on moneys collected and turned over to successor.
Section 23-19-130. Penalties for failure to pay over moneys.
Section 23-19-140. Entries of collections in predecessors' cases.