35-12-10: Garnishment; public officer as garnishee.

A. No public officer of the state or any of its political subdivisions shall be summoned in his official capacity as a garnishee in a civil action in the magistrate court to answer for wages or salaries due to a public officer or employee unless the plaintiff has a judgment in the action against the defendant. Under this condition, wages and salaries due public officials and employees are subject to garnishment.

B. This section does not prevent any available claim of exemption from garnishment.

C. As provided in this section, when any public officer is summoned as garnishee in a civil action in the magistrate court, his answer shall be by statement over his official signature of the amount due the defendant and the statement shall be filed in the action without cost.