The proposed bill, known as the Magistrates' Reform Act, aims to enhance the qualifications and selection process for magistrates in South Carolina. It introduces a new section, 2-19-115, which mandates that candidates for magistrate positions be reviewed by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, similar to other judicial candidates, and defines the circumstances under which a vacancy occurs. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to require that all future magistrates hold a Juris Doctor degree and be members in good standing of the South Carolina Bar. Current magistrates serving as of June 30, 2025, are grandfathered in under the new educational requirements.

Furthermore, the bill increases the civil and criminal jurisdiction limits for magistrates' courts and repeals outdated provisions related to the selection process. Specifically, it raises the civil jurisdiction limit to $25,500 and the criminal jurisdiction limit to $525, along with extending the maximum imprisonment for certain offenses. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to modernize the qualifications and operational scope of magistrates in the state.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 2-19-115, 22-1-10, 22-1-15, 22-3-10, 22-3-550, 22-2-10
Latest Version: 2-19-115, 22-1-10, 22-1-15, 22-3-10, 22-3-550, 22-2-10