Senators favor Cash for chief magistrate

Spartanburg County senators have recommended that Magistrate Court Judge Johnny Lee Cash be appointed as chief of the Spartanburg County magistrates, according to Sen. John Hawkins, R-Spartanburg.

The current chief, Magistrate Robert Hall, cited in a letter to senators a preference to return to the role of magistrate without the additional administrative duties of the chief's position, Hawkins said.

"Judge Hall is one of the best judges we've got," said Hawkins, citing Hall's reputation as a fair, impartial judge. "He will certainly continue to serve as a magistrate."

The Spartanburg County chief magistrate takes responsibility for scheduling judges and clerks, working with payroll and court bookkeeping oversight for an additional $3,000 in annual pay.

"It's a lot of responsibility for some additional pay," said Sen. Glenn Reese, D-Boiling Springs. "I think Judge Hall just enjoys being a judge and not having to deal with the headaches of being an administrator."

The administrative work did not allow Hall to spend as much time actually working in the courtroom as he wanted to. Being in the courtroom was the reason he took the job, he said.

Additionally, the chief must respond to administrative concerns of the court, even when away from the courthouse. For that reason, Hall requested that the chief duties be reassigned.

He said his decision was independent of the scrutiny put on the court recently when three clerks were fired and rehired several days later.

Hall's letter was forwarded with a cover letter from the senators to the South Carolina Supreme Court chief justice, asking that a new chief magistrate be appointed, Hawkins said.

The senators recommended Cash for the position in the letter. Cash began working part time with Spartanburg County as a county constable in 1987. He was appointed to serve as a magistrate in 1998, according to information on the Spartanburg County Magistrates Web site.

"All three of us feel Judge Cash is qualified to do the job," Hawkins said. "There is a feeling that magistrate court just needs a fresh start."

Teresa Killian can be reached at

562-7216 or teresa.killian@shj.com.

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