State v. El

Appellant was convicted of forgery and sentenced. We affirm.

Appellant argues that the trial judge erroneously limited his closing argument to twenty minutes when he requested thirty minutes. He asserts that under S. C. Code Ann. § 40-5-330 (1976) and Article I, § 14, of the South Carolina Constitution he was entitled to argue for two hours as a matter of right. Therefore, he contends that the judge had no authority to refuse his request for thirty minutes. We disagree.

Section 40-5-330 limits oral argument to a maximum of two hours unless the trial judge authorizes additional time. This…