OXNER, Justice.
The question presented is whether on the trial of a person charged as a second offender for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, a report by a magistrate to the Highway Department, made pursuant to Section 46-347 of the 1952 Code and duly identified by the custodian of the records, is admissible in evidence for the purpose of showing a prior conviction.
Under the terms of Section 46-343 of the 1952 Code, it is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor to drive an automobile within this State. Section 46-345 fixes the punishment for the violation of the foregoing section, which is enhanced for a second or subsequent offense. Under the terms of Section 46-347, "All clerks of court, magistrates, city recorders and other public officers in this State having charge or responsibility with respect to convictions or of the entry of pleas of guilty or of the forfeitures of bail posted for violation of § 46-343", or for the violation of any ordinance of a municipality of this State prohibiting a person from operating an automobile while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, are required within ten days to report to the Motor Vehicle Division of the Highway Department every such conviction, plea of guilty or forfeiture of bail. It is further provided: "Such reports shall be made upon forms to be provided by the Department, arranged in duplicate, and the Director of the
Appellant was tried, convicted and sentenced in the Court of General Sessions for Orangeburg County as a second offender for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. The State sought to establish a first offense by offering in evidence the original of a report made by a magistrate of Greenville County to the Highway Department, pursuant to Section 46-347. This report was on a form prescribed by the Highway Department and was duly identified by the custodian of the records. Appellant objected to its admission on the ground "that the best evidence of the conviction in a magistrate's court is the trial docket of the magistrate." The trial Judge overruled the objection and admitted the document. It is contended on this appeal that the Court erred in doing so.
Section 43-9 of the 1952 Code, which was enacted more than half a century ago, requires a magistrate to keep a book wherein shall be entered "all warrants issued by him and what disposition he has made of them". It has been held that such a book may be offered in evidence for the purpose of showing the disposition of a criminal proceeding had before a magistrate. Cherry v. McCants, 7 S.C. 224; State v. Rice, 49 S.C. 418, 27 S.E. 452. Section
We think that a report made by an officer pursuant to Section 46-347 is admissible as a public document or official statement. It is generally held that where a public official is required by law to make a certificate or written statement as to some matter or fact pertaining to and as a part of his official duty, such writing is competent evidence of the matter or fact therein recited. 32 C.J.S., Evidence, § 626; Adams v. State, 224 Ind. 472, 69 N.E.2d 21; People v. Purcell, 22 Cal.App.2d 126, 70 P.2d 706. In Barber v. Hochstrasser, 136 N.J.L. 76, 54 A.2d 458, 461, the Court said:
"Where public officers are under a duty to keep a record of transactions which occur in the course of their public service, the official records and writings so made by such officers, or under their supervision, are of a public nature and are ordinarily admissible in evidence as proof of their contents, even though not proved by the person who actually made the entries. Such records are made under circumstances which afford a sufficient guarantee of trustworthiness to render
Such a record is admissible, although its "authenticity is not confirmed by the usual and ordinary tests of truth and the power of cross-examination of the parties on whose authority the truth of the document depends is lacking. The extraordinary degree of confidence reposed in such documents is founded principally upon the circumstance that they have been made by authorized and accredited agents appointed for the purpose. Those who are empowered to act in making such investigations and memorials are in fact the agents of the individuals who compose the public." 20 Am. Jur., Evidence, Section 985.
In speaking of the necessity for this exception to the Hearsay rule, Wigmore states: "Were there no exception for Official Statements, hosts of officials would be found devoting the greater part of their time to attending as witnesses in court or delivering their depositions before an officer." Wigmore on Evidence, 2nd Edition, Section 1631. He further states in Section 1632: "When it is a part of the duty of a public officer to make a statement as to a fact coming within his official cognizance, the great probability is that he does his duty and makes a correct statement."
It may also be added that, "The admissibility of public records depends on custody and authenticity and is not govered by handwriting or the original entry rule." 32 C.J.S., Evidence, § 643.
Of course, public documents of the character which we have discussed are not conclusive of the facts therein stated, which are subject to contradiction. But this goes to the weight of the testimony rather than its competency.
It is also contended that the admission of this report violates the right guaranteed to an accused by Section 18, Article 1, of the Constitution of being "confronted with the witnesses against him". This question was
"The principle which seems fairly deducible from them is that a record of a primary fact made by a public officer in the performance of official duty is or may be made by legislation competent prima facie evidence as to the existence of that fact, but that records of investigations and inquiries conducted, either voluntarily or pursuant to requirement of law, by public officers concerning causes and effects and involving the exercise of judgment and discretion, expressions of opinion, and making conclusions are not admissible as evidence as public records."
The form prescribed by the Highway Department for the making of a report pursuant to Section 46-347 requires the magistrate or other officer to show not only the name and address of the defendant and the disposition of the case, but also his date of birth, the number of his driver's license and the license number of the vehicle used, and certain personal characteristics, such as the color of his hair and eyes. We are only called upon in this case to determine whether that portion of the report showing a conviction or plea of guilty is admissible. We do not undertake to pass upon the question as to whether the other facts stated in such report are competent. Apparently in the instant case no question was raised as to the identity of appellant as the person mentioned in the report offered in evidence.
It should be stated that not only is the original of a report made under Section 46-347 admissible, but a certified copy
We desire to call attention to the fact that about two weeks after the oral argument of this case, the General Assembly passed an act, which was approved by the Governor on April 17, 1953 entitled: "An Act to make certified copies of reports filed with the Motor Vehicle Division of the South Carolina State Highway Department admissible as prima facie evidence in cases involving prosecutions for operation of motor vehicles in a reckless manner, or by those under the influence of intoxicants, drugs or narcotics."
Of course, the instant case was tried long before the passage of the above legislation and is not affected thereby. It will be noted that the foregoing act is substantially in accord with what we have found to be a proper rule of evidence independent of statute.
Affirmed.
BAKER, C.J., and FISHBURNE, STUKES and TAYLOR, JJ., concur.
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