South Carolina Code 44-53-1400. Warrants for purpose of conducting investigation; oath or affirmation showing probable cause; contents of warrant
(1) A judge or magistrate of a court having jurisdiction where the investigation is to be conducted, upon proper oath or affirmation showing probable cause, may issue warrants for the purpose of conducting investigations authorized by this article or regulations promulgated pursuant to this article and removing samples of objects from the premises appropriate to the investigations. For the purpose of this section, "probable cause" exists when the circumstances indicate there is reason to believe a child has been exposed or is at risk of being exposed to a lead-based hazard at the premises specified in the warrant.
Terms Used In South Carolina Code 44-53-1400
- 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.
- Department: means the Department of Health and Environmental Control. See South Carolina Code 44-53-1320
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Lead-based hazard: means a condition that causes exposure to lead from lead-contaminated paint, lead-contaminated dust, bare lead-contaminated soil, or other lead-based substance that is deteriorated in accessible surfaces, friction surfaces, or impact surfaces that would result in adverse human health effects. See South Carolina Code 44-53-1320
- Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
- Person: means an individual, firm, corporation, association, trust, or partnership. See South Carolina Code 44-53-1320
- Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
(2) A warrant must be issued only upon an affidavit of a department employee designated and having knowledge of the facts alleged, sworn to before the judge or magistrate and establishing the grounds for issuing the warrant. If the judge or magistrate is satisfied that grounds for the application exist or that there is probable cause to believe they exist, the judge or magistrate shall issue a warrant identifying the area, premises, building, or conveyance to be investigated, the purpose of the investigation, and, where appropriate, the type of property to be investigated. The warrant must authorize the removal of samples of objects for laboratory analysis, where appropriate. The warrant must be directed to a designated department employee to execute it. The warrant must state the grounds for issuance and the name of the person or persons whose affidavit has been taken in support of the warrant. The warrant must command the person to whom it is directed to investigate the area, premises, building, or conveyance identified for the purpose specified and, where appropriate, authorize removal of samples of objects for laboratory analysis. The warrant must direct that it be served during reasonable hours and must designate the judge or magistrate to whom it must be returned.
(3) A warrant issued pursuant to this section must be executed and returned within ten days of the date of issuance.
(4) The judge or magistrate who has issued a warrant under this section shall attach to the warrant a copy of the return and all papers filed in connection with the warrant and shall cause these papers to be filed with the court which issued the warrant.