§ 7A-171.2. Qualifications for nomination or renomination.
§ 7A‑171.2. Qualifications for nomination orrenomination.
(a) In order to be eligible for nomination or for renominationas a magistrate an individual shall be a resident of the county for which he isappointed.
(b) To be eligible for nomination as a magistrate, an individualshall have at least eight years' experience as the clerk of superior court in acounty of this State or shall have a four‑year degree from an accreditedsenior institution of higher education or shall have a two‑year associatedegree and four years of work experience in a related field, includingteaching, social services, law enforcement, arbitration or mediation, the courtsystem, or counseling. The Administrative Officer of the Courts may determinewhether the work experience is sufficiently related to the duties of the officeof magistrate for the purposes of this subsection. In determining whether anindividual's work experience is in a related field, the Administrative Officerof the Courts shall consider the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities forthe office of magistrate.
The eligibility requirements prescribed by this subsection do not applyto individuals holding the office of magistrate on June 30, 1994, and do notapply to individuals who have been nominated by June 30, 1994, but who have notbeen appointed or taken the oath of office by that date.
(c) In order to be eligible for renomination as a magistrate anindividual shall have successfully completed the course of basic training formagistrates prescribed by G.S. 7A‑177.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, anindividual who holds the office of magistrate on July 1, 1977, shall not berequired to have successfully completed the course of basic training formagistrates prescribed by G.S. 7A‑177 in order to be eligible forrenomination as a magistrate. (1977, c. 945, s.6; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 769, s. 7.13(a); 2003‑381, s. 1.)