Seventh Circuit Solicitor's Office - Spartanburg County

5Barnette receives 2006 Ernest F. HollingsAward For Excellence in state prosecutionBeing a prosecutor is more than a job for PrincipalDeputy Solicitor Barry Barnette. It is a way of life.The veteran prosecutor was recognized for hisdedication and hard work in September when hereceived the 2006 Ernest F. Hollings Award forExcellence in state prosecution. US AttorneyReginald Lloyd presented the award at a statewidemeeting of prosecutors.Fellow prosecutors, victim advocates and lawenforcement officials served on the selection committee.“Barry is one of the first employees in the officeand the last to leave at the end of the day,”Solicitor Gowdy said. “He is a mentor for youngerattorneys and a valuable legal resource for policeofficers with pressing legal questions.”Barnette’s 16-year legal career in Spartanburg andCherokee counties includes five years of service asan assistant solicitor, a county magistrate and hiscurrent duty. He has prosecuted hundreds of casesand recorded more than 100 trial wins on crimesranging from driving offenses to death penaltycases. His record over the past five years includes 3capital case convictions, 13 guilty verdicts on challengingfelony driving under the influence casesand nearly two dozen prison sentences of morethan 30 years.Barnette has led numerous classes, seminars andpresentations around the state and the southeast.His educational portfolio includes the SouthCarolina Magistrate Court Orientation School,the South Carolina Solicitor’s Conference classes,and a multi-state training program inLawrenceburg, Tenn. Barnette is a contributingauthor to the South Carolina Highway Patrol’sprotocol for the handling of traffic cases. He hasbeen recognized by Mothers Against DrunkDriving and the National Association ofProsecution Coordinators.Supporters on Barnette’s bid for the HollingsAward included Sheriff Chuck Wright,Spartanburg Public Safety Director Tony Fisherand former 10th Circuit Solicitor Druanne White.“When I was contacted about this matter, I wasshocked that Barry had not already received thisaward,” White wrote in a letter of recommendation.“In my opinion, he should have received ityears ago. I can think of no one who is moredeserving.”A native of Point Pleasant, W. Va, Barnetteearned his law degree from West VirginiaUniversity and a Bachelor of Arts degree fromMarshall University.Barnette is the second local prosecutor in threeyears to receive statewide recognition. AssistantSolicitor Erika McJimpsey received the 2004Ernest F. Hollings Award for her work on thejuvenile caseload in Family Court.“Awards like this are not won by individuals, theyare won because many people go about their jobsin an excellent and understated way,” Gowdysaid. “I’m fortunate to have a great team, and I’mhonored to see people from all walks of life recognizetheir success.”Barry Barnette leads a DUI training session for Highway Patrol Troopersin Cherokee County.