Section 15-63-140 - Proceedings against usurping defendant on refusal to deliver books or papers to relatorIf the defendant shall refuse or neglect to deliver over such books or papers, pursuant to the demand, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and the following proceedings shall be had to compel delivery of such books or papers:
(1) The successor in whose favor judgment has been so rendered may make complaint of such refusal or neglect to any judge of the circuit court of the circuit in which the person so refusing shall reside or to any justice of the Supreme Court. If such judge be satisfied by the oath of the complainant and such testimony as shall be offered that any such books or papers are withheld he shall grant an order directing the person so refusing to show cause before him, within some short reasonable time, why he should not be compelled to deliver such books or papers.(2) At the time so appointed or at any other time to which the matter may be adjourned upon due proof being made of the service of such order, such judge shall proceed to inquire into the circumstances. If the person charged with withholding such books or papers shall make affidavit before the judge that he has truly delivered over to his successor all such books and papers in his custody or appertaining to his office, within his knowledge, all further proceedings before the judge shall cease and the person complained against shall be discharged.(3) If the person complained against shall not make such oath and it shall appear that any such books or papers are withheld the judge before whom such proceedings shall be had shall, by warrant, commit the person so withholding to the jail of the county, there to remain until he shall deliver such books and papers or be otherwise discharged according to law.(4) In the case stated in the last paragraph, if required by the complainant, the judge shall also issue his warrant, directed to any sheriff or constable, commanding him in the daytime to search such places as shall be designated in such warrant for such books and papers as belong to the officer so removed or whose term of office expired in his official capacity and which appertained to such office and seize and bring them before the officer issuing the warrant.(5) Upon any books or papers being brought before such judge, by virtue of such warrant, he shall inquire and examine whether such books or papers appertained to the office from which the person so refusing to deliver was removed or of which the term expired and, if so, he shall cause them to be delivered to the complainant.1870 (14) 524 Section 453; Civ. P. '02 Section 434; Civ. P. '12 Section 472; Civ. P. '22 Section 785; 1932 Code Section 837; 1942 Code Section 837; 1952 Code Section 10-2264; 1962 Code Section 10-2264.