Section 51-11-20. Satisfaction and settlement of tort authorized; what agreements allowed where tort constitutes crime

   (a) If a tort does not amount to a crime, the person injured may consent to a satisfaction and settlement thereof.

(b) (1) If a tort amounts to a crime, the person injured may agree upon and receive compensation for the personal injury.

   (2) However, any attempt to satisfy the public offense or to suppress a prosecution therefor is illegal and will vitiate the entire agreement, except in those cases for which the law expressly allows such a settlement. Such an attempt to satisfy or to suppress prosecution of a public offense which amounts to a felony is itself an offense under this Code; and, even if executed, an agreement to this effect shall be no defense to an action for the tort. If the offense does not amount to a felony and the agreement is fully executed, such agreement shall constitute satisfaction for the private tort.

Orig. Code 1863, §§ 2986, 2987; Code 1868, §§ 2999, 3000; Code 1873, §§ 3054, 3055; Code 1882, §§ 3054, 3055; Civil Code 1895, §§ 3894, 3895; Civil Code 1910, §§ 4491, 4492; Code 1933, §§ 105-1901, 105-1902.