Cherokee County Probate Judge Joshua Queen was arrested Friday morning on DUI charges. Queen also oversees the county's drug and alcohol court program.
According to court records, Queen was pulled over by Highway Patrol at 2:03am on West Rutledge Avenue, not far from his home in Gaffney. The traffic citation states that Queen refused a blood-alcohol test. He was charged with DUI first offense and released from jail on personal recognizance bond a few hours later, though the magistrate's office could not tell us the exact time of his bond hearing. Queen will appear in court again on October 7th.
Queen, 30, declined comment for this story, stating his attorney advised him not to say anything at this point. He has served as the county's probate judge since 2004 when he was appointed by the senate to fill a vacancy. He was then elected to office in 2006.
Queen may be able to continue performing his duties as probate judge, which include presiding over estate legal matters and marriage certificates. According to Lee Coggiola of the SC Supreme Court's Office of Disciplinary Council, DUI first offense is not considered a serious disciplinary charge. Therefore, the ODC would not petition the Supreme Court to suspend Queen unless someone files an official complaint. Coggiola said she is not at liberty to disclose whether or not a complaint has been filed.
As for his position overseeing Cherokee County's Drug Court, a top administrator tells WSPA Queen has been relieved of his duties. A former drug court judge will now preside over the program.
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