Judge Murphy explains his duties to Rotary
Submitted article
The Honorable Thomas P. Murphy spoke to the local North Augusta Rotary Club on Sept. 15. Judge Murphy stated that although his role as chief judge for the North Augusta Municipal Court is part-time, it requires many hours of preparation. He stated that the Municipal Court has jurisdiction only for criminal matters that occur within the city municipal limits.
Any civil disputes that might occur within the North Augusta boundaries are heard by Judge Rodger Edmonds in the local Magistrate Court in Belvedere.
Judge Murphy said that when he first started as municipal judge, court was held on Monday nights. He appeared in court "robeless," wearing a suit and tie. During that time, Walter E. Newman was the chief of police and Kelly Zier the city prosecutor. Although Chief Newman has since retired, Zier still holds the position of City attorney and prosecutor.
Currently North Augusta Municipal Court is held each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8 a.m., and Judge Murphy always wears a robe. Since the new municipal complex has been completed, the plans are to move the North Augusta Municipal Court to the old city council chambers in the later part of 2010.
According to Judge Murphy, one misconception is that the fines for tickets paid to the municipal court go into the city coffers. He stated that of all fines collected, approximately 52 percent go to the state of South Carolina, and $0.25 of each fine goes to the S.C. Law Enforcement Hall of Fame. Additionally, he said that in DUI cases, $100 of each fine goes to the Medical College of South Carolina for spinal cord injury research.
Judge Murphy informed the group that as a judge he is required to attend at least 14 hours of judicial continuing legal education each year. He stated that many years ago his grandfather informed him "If you learn a new trick from time to time, you'll never become an old dog."
Regarding citizens serving on jury duty in the municipal court, he said that besides its being the civic duty of all citizens, it is the desire of the court to obtain good, conscientious jurors who can fairly decide the cases tried before the court.
