Hi!  For those of you that don't know me, I am your Chief Magistrate Judge of Pickens County, Larry Ray.  I am a native of Pickens County and was elected to this office in 1992. My wife, Brenda Chastain of the Clayton Community, is deceased and I have two children, LaSandra Cooley, and Jason Ray.  I also have several grandchildren.  I am a member of Bethesda Baptist Church in Nelson and E.W. Hightower Masonic Lodge, also in Nelson.  

I have been actively involved in trying my best to help remedy the drug use in our county.  I have established a drug testing regiment for our county that works in conjunction with the Drug Court that was established by Judge Brenda Weaver.  With this program, anyone with a drug related charge is required by condition of bond to participate.  They must be tested at least twice per week.  Probation Officer William Faucett and his staff graciously provide the drug testing at the same times they do the drug testing for Drug Court.  We charge $5.00 per test to offset the costs of this testing.

Over the past 16 years I have strived to treat the citizens of this county as fairly as the law allows.  I am available to law enforcement officers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  I take my job seriously, and am striving to make this county drug free for my grandchildren and yours!  


Larry Ray,
Pickens County Chief Magistrate Judge

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