Section 15-11-6
Examination of complainant and witnesses.
The court before whom any person is brought charged with a public offense must examine the complainant and the witnesses for the prosecution on oath, as soon as may be, in the presence of the defendant, and, after the testimony for the prosecution is heard, the witnesses for the defendant must be sworn and examined.
(Code 1852, §458; Code 1867, §4007; Code 1876, §4677; Code 1886, §4284; Code 1896, §5233; Code 1907, §7598; Code 1923, §5231; Code 1940, T. 15, §133.)