Section 15-21-14
Issuance of precept; execution of precept by sheriff or constable.
(a) At the time of issuing a writ of habeas corpus or at any time afterward before the hearing, the officer issuing the writ must, on a proper showing, issue a precept directed to any sheriff or constable of the state, commanding him to have the body of the person who is imprisoned or restrained produced before the officer before whom the writ is returnable at the time and place at which it is returnable.
(b) Such precept must be executed by any sheriff or constable into whose hands it may come according to its mandate.
(c) If the party is brought before the court or judge by virtue of a precept issued under the provisions of this section, the case must be heard and determined as if he had been produced in return to the writ.
(Code 1852, §§720, 727; Code 1867, §§4271, 4278; Code 1876, §§4947, 4954; Code 1886, §§4771, 4778; Code 1896, §§4824, 4831; Code 1907, §§7019, 7026; Code 1923, §§4318, 4325; Code 1940, T. 15, §§14, 21.)