As Fayette County mourns the death of Chief Magistrate Charles Floyd, another local magistrate has been appointed to take his place.
Robert “Bob” Ruppenthal was appointed Monday as the new chief magistrate for the county, replacing Floyd, who passed away Oct. 27 unexpectedly at the age of 53.
Floyd was appointed to the position in 2002, becoming Fayette’s first-ever African-American judge. He subsequently was elected to the post in 2004 and won re-election in 2008.
The appointment was made by Chief Superior Court Judge Christopher C. Edwards, as prescribed by law.
Ruppenthal, 45, is serving his third term in office and also has a private practice which he restricts to civil and probate matters.
Magistrates are responsible for determining bond for most arrested persons, and also determining whether authorities have enough probable cause for them to be bound over for trial. Magistrates also adjudicate small claims court disputes and also handle dispossessory (eviction) cases.
