When a petition is presented to the court and it shall appear that:

(1) the summons or rule to show cause cannot be served; or

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 63-17-400

  • Child: means a person under the age of eighteen. See South Carolina Code 63-1-40
  • Judge: means the judge of the family court. See South Carolina Code 63-1-40
  • 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.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.

(2) the respondent has failed to obey the summons or rule to show cause; or

(3) the respondent is likely to leave the jurisdiction; or

(4) a summons or rule to show cause would be ineffectual; or

(5) the safety of the petitioner is endangered; or

(6) a respondent on bond or on probation has failed to appear, the court may issue a warrant, in the form prescribed in § 63-17-410, directing that the respondent be arrested and brought before the court. Warrants and other processes may be served by any peace officer, or by the probation counselor. The court shall make rules relative to the service of warrants. Warrants issued by the court shall be valid throughout the State. The judge may issue ex parte orders for temporary child support, temporary custody and restraining orders where conditions warrant.