§ 21-12-301 - Suspension upon charge of shortage of funds.
               	 		
21-12-301.    Suspension upon charge of shortage of funds.
    (a)    (1)  Whenever  any information or indictment shall be filed in any circuit court of  this state against any county or township officer on any charge  involving a shortage of funds in his or her office when the shortage has  been reported by the Division of Legislative Audit, the circuit court  shall immediately order that the officer be suspended from his or her  office until the information or indictment is tried.
      (2)  The  suspension shall not extend beyond the next term after the information  or indictment is filed in the circuit court, unless the cause is  continued on the application of the defendant.
(b)    (1)  Whenever  any such officer is confined in a jail on a charge involving a shortage  of funds in his or her office when the shortage has been reported by  the division, he or she shall be suspended from office by the circuit  court upon the filing of information of the imprisonment.
      (2)  The suspension shall last until the officer is discharged from prison by due process of law, on bail, or otherwise.