SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Spartanburg County's 20 magistrates are all working past the end of their four-year terms as three of the county's lawmakers fight over whether to reappoint one of the judges.

At the center of the dispute is Magistrate Larry Hutchins, a 16-year court veteran.

Democratic Sen. Glenn Reese wants to reappoint Hutchins, while Republican Sens. Jim Ritchie and John Hawkins want to get rid of him.

Because of the dispute, Reese refuses to sign off on the reappointment of any of Spartanburg County's 20 magistrates, whose continue to serve even though their four-year terms ran out on April 30.

Reese said he is upset because Ritchie and Hawkins will not give specific reasons why they feel Hutchins must go.

Hawkins told the (Spartanburg) Herald-Journal only that there are "very good reasons" to replace Hutchins, while Ritchie refers to "ongoing matters within the Magistrate Court" that involve Hutchins.

If Hutchins is not removed by the end of the legislative session on Thursday, he will continue to serve like the other magistrates at least until the Senate's next session in January.

Information from: Herald-Journal