Magistrate - 31st Judicial District

Job Duties

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.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The Commonwealth of Virginia has an opening for a Magistrate position in the Prince William Magistrate Office in Magisterial Region 5.  Although the primary location for this position is Prince William, a Magistrate is appointed to a Region and may be assigned anywhere within the Region.  Region 5 includes Prince William, Fairfax, and Arlington Counties and the Cities of Fairfax, Alexandria, and Manassas.  Principal offices are in Arlington, Alexandria, Mount Vernon, Fairfax, Woodbridge, and Manassas.

Minimum Qualifications

The most competitive candidates will possess:

Under § 19.2-37 of the Code of Virginia, 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.

Additional Considerations

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 successful applicant may also:

• Possess relevant legal experience, training, or education; and/or
• Be a member of Virginia State Bar.

Magistrates are subject to the Canons of Conduct for Virginia Magistrates.  See http://www.courts.state.va.us/courtadmin/aoc/mag/resources/canons.pdf. 

If not previously certified as a magistrate, the successful candidate must attend an intensive training course which focuses on Virginia law and procedure, pass a written examination, and complete a certification process that includes supervised on-the-job training.  Overnight travel may be required for students outside the Richmond area.

Under § 19.2-37 of the Code of Virginia, no person appointed as a magistrate on or after July 1, 2008, may engage in the practice of law.

Contact Information

Email: Humanresources@VACourts.gov