How old to I have to be to execute a health care power of attorney? A person who executes a health care power of attorney is called the principal and must be 18 years old and of sound mind (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-5-504(9)).
amnesty). • Not be incapable by reason of mental or physical infirmities to render efficient jury service. • Have completed at least a sixth grade education or its equivalent.
If the forms are available in the Code of Laws, do I need an attorney to handle these documents for me? An attorney can ensure that the documents are properly executed and witnessed and can explain the terms and effects of the documents, so while it is not required, it is a good idea to seek assistance if you are interested in executing these documents.
How are potential jurors selected? They are selected randomly from a list containing the names of registered voters, persons holding valid driver’s licenses and persons with state-issued identification cards. Once summoned to court, the prospective jurors then make up the panel from which trial jurors are chosen.
GENERAL DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY What is a General Durable Power of Attorney? A general durable power of attorney is a document that allows you to appoint an agent who can act on behalf of you. It gives broad powers to the agent who can act on your behalf both while you are mentally and physically capable of handling your own affairs, and also after you become incapable of handling your affairs (S.C. Code Ann. § 62-2-501).
Do all potential jurors wind up serving on a jury? No. The court typically brings in more prospective jurors than will be needed. This is because some people are automatically excused and others may be excused during the jury selection process.
Can I appoint a power of attorney to handle a single transaction for me? You can execute a specific power of attorney which sets forth specific instructions and gives your agent the power to act for a specific transaction or purpose. A common use is when a principal appoints an agent to handle the sale of purchase of real estate when the principal is unable to attend the closing.
JURY DUTY You may be asked to take part in the justice system by serving on a jury. When I turn 18, am I automatically eligible to serve as a juror? No. To serve on a jury, you must: • Be at least 18 years old. • Be a U.S. citizen. • Be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language. • Live in the court’s jurisdiction. • Not have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year (unless your civil rights have been restored by pardon or 25
If I’m summoned for jury duty, do I have to respond? Yes. If you fail to respond to a jury summons, you can be held in contempt of court, subjected to a fine, and a bench warrant may be issued for your arrest. If you cannot serve on the summons date, however, you may ask for one postponement to a more convenient time, which may be granted for good cause shown. (Read the summons from your particular court to find out how to respond in your county.) You might be excused from jury duty if such service would cause undue hardship for you or the public, or for certain other reasons (see below). You may be asked to furnish an affidavit to support your request to be excused. If you believe that you do not meet the eligibility requirements for jury service, contact the Clerk of Court to confirm whether you may be disqualified or temporarily excused from service. Whatever your circumstances, however, do not ignore the jury summons. Why would a judge excuse some people and not others? Judges have the right to excuse prospective jurors for a variety of reasons. The prospective juror may: • Have immediate family members related to someone involved in the case. • Have a financial interest in the case. • Have been convicted of a felony, have prejudice or