The purpose of the preseizure hearing is to protect the defendant‘s use and possession of property from arbitrary encroachment, and to prevent unfair or mistaken deprivations of property. If the magistrate shall, after conducting the hearing, find that the plaintiff‘s claim for immediate possession is probably valid and the defendant has no overriding right to continue in possession of the property, then the magistrate may allow the claim for immediate possession and endorse the affidavit accordingly.

Whether the claim for immediate possession is allowed or not, the action commenced by the service of the summons shall be tried in all respects as other actions are tried in the magistrates’ courts.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 22-3-1350

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.