Magistrate

Summary

Magistrate

The Commonwealth of Virginia has an opening for a Magistrate position in the Virginia Beach Magistrate Office in Magisterial Region 7. Although the primary location for this position is Virginia Beach, a Magistrate is appointed to a Region and may be assigned anywhere within the Region. Region 7 includes Accomack and Northampton Counties and the Cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. Principal offices are in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Accomack, and Eastville.

A Magistrate is a judicial officer appointed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. A Magistrate's duties and responsibilities include:

• Issuing arrest warrants and summonses for criminal offenses and other violations of Virginia law;
• Issuing search warrants;
• Conducting bail hearings and admitting persons charged with criminal offenses to bail or committing them to jail;
• Issuing Emergency Protective Orders;
• Issuing mental health and medical custody and detention orders; and
• Performing other acts or functions authorized by law.

Magistrate offices are open 7 days per week 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays, and the specific schedule may vary. Magistrates work under the supervision of a Chief Magistrate. This position offers a competitive benefits package which includes vacation and sick leave, paid state and federal holidays, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, deferred compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits.

A Magistrate must be a United States citizen, be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Please review § 19.2-37 to ensure you are eligible for appointment as a Magistrate.

All candidates are subject to a criminal history background check. Proof of U.S. citizenship and Virginia residency must be provided. Transcripts for all undergraduate and post-graduate education must be provided before the start of employment.

A successful applicant must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Fluency in written and spoken English with strong communications skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact in a professional manner with coworkers, complainants, petitioners, and witnesses, including law enforcement officers;
• Strong reading comprehension skills;
• Ability to research and interpret the Code of Virginia and other legal resources;
• Ability to conduct judicial hearings in a neutral and impartial manner;
• Ability to ascertain facts from oral testimony and written submissions and apply them to relevant legal principles;
• Ability to properly account for funds; and
• General computer proficiency and typing skills.

A STATE APPLICATION MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED. In addition to the state application, each applicant must submit:

• A current resume; and
• A cover letter.

All applications and required materials must be submitted online.

Job Description

Magistrate

The Commonwealth of Virginia has an opening for a Magistrate position in the Virginia Beach Magistrate Office in Magisterial Region 7. Although the primary location for this position is Virginia Beach, a Magistrate is appointed to a Region and may be assigned anywhere within the Region. Region 7 includes Accomack and Northampton Counties and the Cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. Principal offices are in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Accomack, and Eastville.

A Magistrate is a judicial officer appointed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. A Magistrate's duties and responsibilities include:

• Issuing arrest warrants and summonses for criminal offenses and other violations of Virginia law;
• Issuing search warrants;
• Conducting bail hearings and admitting persons charged with criminal offenses to bail or committing them to jail;
• Issuing Emergency Protective Orders;
• Issuing mental health and medical custody and detention orders; and
• Performing other acts or functions authorized by law.

Magistrate offices are open 7 days per week 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays, and the specific schedule may vary. Magistrates work under the supervision of a Chief Magistrate. This position offers a competitive benefits package which includes vacation and sick leave, paid state and federal holidays, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, deferred compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits.

A Magistrate must be a United States citizen, be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Please review § 19.2-37 to ensure you are eligible for appointment as a Magistrate.

All candidates are subject to a criminal history background check. Proof of U.S. citizenship and Virginia residency must be provided. Transcripts for all undergraduate and post-graduate education must be provided before the start of employment.

A successful applicant must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Fluency in written and spoken English with strong communications skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact in a professional manner with coworkers, complainants, petitioners, and witnesses, including law enforcement officers;
• Strong reading comprehension skills;
• Ability to research and interpret the Code of Virginia and other legal resources;
• Ability to conduct judicial hearings in a neutral and impartial manner;
• Ability to ascertain facts from oral testimony and written submissions and apply them to relevant legal principles;
• Ability to properly account for funds; and
• General computer proficiency and typing skills.

A STATE APPLICATION MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED. In addition to the state application, each applicant must submit:

• A current resume; and
• A cover letter.

All applications and required materials must be submitted online.