South Carolina magistrate announces retirement

September 11, 2012

South Carolina: Chief Magistrate Judge Gerald T. Whitley, Jr., of Horry County, South Carolina, has announced his plan to retire. He has served as a Horry County Magistrate since his first appointment in 1985. His last day on the court will be Oct. 1, 2012. He is retiring early, since his current term does not expire until 2015.

The Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court has appointed Margie B. Livingston to serve as temporary chief magistrate until Dec. 31, 2012. Nominees for Whitley's permanent replacement will be chosen by the senators from Horry County at the next legislative session. From those nominees, Gov. Nikki Haley will make the final appointment.

In addition to his lengthy career as a magistrate, Whitley is a former police officer. He worked for the police departments of North Myrtle and Horry County from 1973 until 1985. He also returned to police work for about a year in 1994.