GRAFTON, W. Va. — After 26 years, a Taylor County Magistrate judge has announced his resignation.
James Leonard Lucas, who first began serving in the position in August 1988, said that he would step down effective March 31 and it has been a tremendous honor to serve the citizens of Taylor County.
Circuit Court Judge Alan D. Moats stated that Lucas has brought “a common approach to solving problems which has served him well as Magistrate. I wish to thank him for his many years of outstanding dedicated service, for his unwavering support of the Judicial System and the citizens of Taylor County.”
Moats also announced Monday he would appoint Robert Lee Bolton III to fill the unexpired term of Magistrate.
Bolton graduated with honor from Grafton High School, Summa Cum Laude from Fairmont State University and received a Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. He previously served as a law clerk for Judge Michael Aloi and Judge David Janes in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Special Assistant to Taylor County Prosecuting Attorney John L. Bord and currently is an Adjunct Professor at Fairmont State University, teaching American Government.
Bolton’s grandmother, Rhea Howell, was a former long term Magistrate Clerk in Taylor County and his great grandfather was U.S. Congressman Robert Mollohan.
Bolton will be sworn into office on April 1.