§ 12-54. Must execute and return process - Execution by county clerk when sheriff disqualified.

He shall execute every summons, order or other process, and return the same as required by law; and if he fail to do so, unless he make it appear to the satisfaction of the court that he was prevented by inevitable accident from so doing, he shall be amerced by the court in a sum not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), upon motion and ten (10) days' notice, and shall be liable to the action of any person aggrieved by such failure.  Provided that whenever any party, his agent or attorney, shall make and file with the clerk of the proper court an affidavit, stating that he believes that the sheriff of said county will not, by reason of either partiality, prejudice, consanguinity or interest, faithfully perform his duties in any suit commenced in said court, the clerk shall direct the original, or other process, in such suit to the county clerk who shall execute the same in like manner as the sheriff might or ought to have done, and who shall be subject to the same penalties as the sheriff if he fail to do so, unless he make it appear that he was prevented by inevitable accident from so doing, and the county clerk shall perform all of the other duties of the sheriff when the sheriff shall be a party to the case, or is disqualified.

R.L. 1910, § 5337.  Amended by Laws 1953, p. 47, § 1.