Terms Used In South Carolina Code > Title 14 > Chapter 25 - Municipal Courts

• 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.
• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
• Blaster: means a person who detonates or otherwise effects the explosion of an explosive material or who is in immediate personal charge and supervision of one or more persons who are not licensed to engage in such activity. See South Carolina Code 23-36-30
• Blasting agent: means any material or mixture, consisting of fuel and oxidizer, intended for blasting not otherwise defined as an explosive. See South Carolina Code 23-36-30
• clerk: as used in this title , signifies the clerk of the court where the action is pending and, in the Supreme Court or court of appeals, the clerk of the county mentioned in the title of the complaint or in another county to which the court may have changed the place of trial, unless otherwise specified. See South Carolina Code 14-1-40
• Clerk of court: An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
• Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
• Court reporter: A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court and produces a transcript of the proceedings upon request.
• Dealer: means a person engaged in the wholesale or retail business of buying and selling explosives. See South Carolina Code 23-36-30
• Detonator: means any device containing a detonating charge that is used for initiating detonation in an explosive. See South Carolina Code 23-36-30
• Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
• Explosive: means any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or intended common purpose of which is to function by explosion. See South Carolina Code 23-36-30
• Explosive materials: means any explosive, blasting agent, water gel, detonator, or other item contained in the "List of Explosive Materials" published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF). See South Carolina Code 23-36-30
• 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.
• Juror: A person who is on the jury.
• Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). ^{Source: OCC}
• Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
• Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
• Person: means any natural person, partnership, association, or corporation. See South Carolina Code 23-36-30
• Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
• Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
• Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
• Rescission: The cancellation of budget authority previously provided by Congress. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 specifies that the President may propose to Congress that funds be rescinded. If both Houses have not approved a rescission proposal (by passing legislation) within 45 days of continuous session, any funds being withheld must be made available for obligation.
• Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
• Sale: means delivery of an explosive with or without consideration. See South Carolina Code 23-36-30
• Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
• Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.