Judgeship expected for Murphy

Master-in-Equity Maite Murphy is expected to be elected to an at-large circuit court judge seat Wednesday.
Murphy is the only remaining candidate in the election, which is held within the General Assembly.
Murphy said she’s had the chance to serve on all sides of the bench, as prosecutor, defender and judge at the magistrate court and master-in-equity levels, so she believes that experience will serve her well.
She’s also filled in as a circuit court judge during her time as master-in-equity.
Murphy, who is married to Summerville Rep. Chris Murphy, rose to the rank of chief deputy solicitor within the First Circuit solicitor’s office. She then practiced law at the Murphy Law Firm and was appointed a magistrate in 2009, where she rose to the chief magistrate position.
“This really has always been the goal, to serve on the circuit court bench,” Murphy said.
She hopes to serve in a positive capacity, she said.
As an at-large judge, Murphy could find herself hearing cases in any county in the state.