South Carolina Code 23-11-40. Vacancies in office
(B) If any vacancy occurs in the office more than one year prior to the next general election for county sheriffs, the Governor shall appoint some suitable person as provided in subsection (A) until a special election is held to elect a sheriff to hold the office until a sheriff is elected and qualifies in the next general election for county sheriffs.
Terms Used In South Carolina Code 23-11-40
- Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
- Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
(C) If any vacancy occurs in the office at any time and is created by suspension by the Governor upon any sheriff’s indictment, the Governor shall appoint some suitable person, as provided for in subsection (A), to hold the office until the suspended sheriff is acquitted, or the indictment is otherwise disposed of, or until a sheriff is elected and qualifies in the next general election for county sheriffs, whichever event occurs first.
(D) The chief deputy or second-in-command of the sheriff’s office shall act as sheriff until the vacancy is filled, except in the case when a vacancy occurs as a result of an indictment, where the vacancy will be filled as provided in § 23-11-50. While acting as sheriff, the chief deputy or second-in-command is subject to the duties and liabilities incident to the office of sheriff.