Fayette attorney

Charles Floyd Jr. has been appointed as the county's chief magistrate

judge, replacing long-time chief magistrate A.K. (Kenny) Melear, who resigned

after being accused of using racial slurs.

Floyd, 45,

of Peachtree City, is a native of St. Mary's and will become the first

black judge in Fayette County history. He was appointed to the position

"I was

flattered and honored that I'd be considered," Floyd said Friday,

noting that he felt "the court looked closely at filling the position."

While he still

practices on the criminal side, much of Floyd's work involves automobile

warranty litigation for both General Motors and Chrysler.

Floyd plans

to wrap up his remaining local criminal matters quickly in order to avoid

possible complications.

Though Floyd

is familiar with the workings of the magistrate court, he quickly found

he has more to learn in his new role as chief magistrate.

"I'm familiar

with the subject matter and the subject area and I will work real hard

to get up to speed real quickly," Floyd said.

A graduate

of the law school at Suffolk University in Boston, Floyd has been practicing

in Georgia since 1981. He currently practices law with his wife, Deborah,

who handles employment and business related matters.

The Floyds

have two children, Charles III, a senior at the Massachusetts Institute

of Technology and Christopher, a freshman at Landmark Christian School.