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Council follows judicial committee, denies magistrate John Davis's municipal contract requests
Summary
After a Judicial Committee review, the county council voted to deny Magistrate John Davis's request to contract as municipal judge for Jefferson and McBee; the committee had voted not to recommend approval (one abstention) and the council carried the denial by voice vote.
Chesterfield County Council on Oct. 2 voted to deny a magistrate's request to contract as a municipal judge for two towns after the judicial committee recommended denial.
Magistrate John Davis addressed council, describing court operations since his return to full-time status, new bond schedules, a nine-year records retention plan, and a proposed set-off debt program to pursue an estimated $3,300,000 in unpaid criminal and traffic fines owed to the county and state. Davis said municipal work would take place outside county hours and would not interfere with county duties and asked council to approve contracts with the towns of Jefferson and McBee.
The judicial committee considered State statute language (identified in the transcript as South Carolina Code 14-25-25 and related guidance) and—after Chief Magistrate John Melton answered questions—voted not to recommend approval of the agreement (one member abstained). Miss Burns moved that the committee deny the request; the motion was seconded and presented to full council. The council voted on the committee motion and the denial carried by voice vote as recorded in the transcript.
The transcript records the committee recommendation and council vote; it does not show subsequent contract language or whether the towns will pursue alternate arrangements.
