§56-3-19. Officer's service and return of process; failure to make proper return; false return.

Every officer to whom any process or order is lawfully delivered for execution shall, without avoidable delay, execute the same according to the command thereof and the provisions of law, and make true return thereon at the proper time and place, stating in such return the time and manner of executing the same, or why the same was not executed, and shall subscribe his name to such return. When the service is by deputy, such deputy shall subscribe to the return his own name as well as that of his principal. With the order or process there shall be returned any bond taken, and an account of any sale made under the same, specifying therein the several articles sold, the persons to whom sold, and the prices thereof. Such return shall be made to the court, justice, person or office from which such process or order issued, unless in such process or order it is directed to be otherwise returned, in which case return thereof shall be made according to such direction. Where a sale is made under any process or order, and no particular time for the return thereof is prescribed therein, or by law, the return shall be made within thirty days after the sale. But if no particular time be prescribed in the process or order, or by law, for the return thereof, and no sale is made under the same, the return shall be made immediately after such process or order is executed; or, if it be not executed, within two months after its date. Except when the process or order is issued by a justice, any officer failing to comply with the provisions of this section shall forfeit $20; and, if he make a false return, shall forfeit therefor $100.