99-27-33 - Circuit clerk to file and record statement; inspection by officers; competent evidence at trial; grand jury to investigate compliance.
§ 99-27-33. Circuit clerk to file and record statement; inspection by officers; competent evidence at trial; grand jury to investigate compliance.
It shall be the duty of the circuit clerk to immediately file the statement required by Section 99-27-31, as a part of the records in his office, and to preserve such statement, or statements, for a period of twelve months, after which time they may be destroyed, and (1) permit any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, chief of police, or other police officer of a town or city, or any district or county attorney whose duty it is to prosecute crime in the county in which delivery is made, and any other peace officer of the county to inspect the said statement as they may desire at any time the office of said circuit clerk may be open, and especially to permit inspection thereof by any officer, or other duly authorized person seeking information for the prosecution of persons charged with or suspected of crime; and (2) to permit any and all other persons so desiring to inspect the said statements, to do so at any time the office of the circuit clerk may be open, it shall be the further duty of the circuit clerk to give a certified copy of such statement to any of said officers without charge or to any other person requesting or demanding the same upon the payment of lawful fees therefor and the said original statements or certified copies thereof shall be competent evidence upon the trial of any cause whatever in any of the courts of this state in which same may be relevant or material to the issue or issues involved.
Every grand jury shall appoint a committee of three to examine the records of the circuit clerk and investigate whether this section is being complied with and the circuit judge shall charge the grand jury to this effect.
Sources: Codes, Hemingway's 1921 Supp, § 2163q; 1930, § 2017; 1942, § 2656; Laws, 1918, ch. 189.