House Subcommittee OKs Bill to Have Panel Screen Magistrates

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A House panel has approved changes to how county magistrates are chosen and what kind of cases they can hear.

A House subcommittee Thursday approved a bill to require candidates for magistrates to be screened and qualified by the same panel that checks the credentials of state judges.

A second bill would increase to $25,000 the maximum amount of damages that could be awarded in magistrate cases.

Supporters say the bills would assure magistrates are qualified to hear cases and make sure the lower-level court system remains a place where people can hear minor disputes without having to hire a lawyer.

Spartanburg Republican Rep. Eddie Tallon says similar bills have passed the House before, but gone nowhere in the Senate.