Statehouse — Representative Randy Frye stated recently that he would be supporting an amendment in the Courts and Criminal Code Committee to add a Magistrate in Decatur County.
Magistrates are civil officers or a lay judge who administers the law, especially one who conducts a court that deals with minor offenses and holds preliminary hearings for more serious ones. Generally, they deal with less serious criminal cases, such as minor theft, criminal damage, public disorder, and motoring offenses.
Decatur County judges Matthew Bailey and Tim Day were present at the meeting Tuesday to testify on the need before the Courts and Criminal Code Committee in the House.
The bill would have to be passed in both the House and the Senate for approval.
