Title:
Magistrate State Role Title: Salary Non-Specified Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience Location: Portsmouth Magistrates' Office Agency Website: www.vacourts.gov Recruitment Type: General Public - G Job Duties The Commonwealth of Virginia has an opening for a Magistrate position in the Portsmouth Magistrate Office in Magisterial Region 7. Although the primary location for this position is Portsmouth, 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.
Minimum Qualifications:
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;
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.
The successful candidate must sign a training repayment agreement which requires the magistrate to reimburse, pro-rata, the Office of the Executive Secretary for actual training costs if the magistrate leaves employment during training or within two years of completing training.
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer. Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force.
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letteror by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note:
Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Contact Information Email: Humanresources@VACourts.gov
