Job ID: 5068329
Location: Fairfax County, Virginia, United States
Job Duties
The Commonwealth of Virginia has an opening for a Magistrate position in the Fairfax Magistrate Office in Magisterial Region 5. Although the primary location for this position is Fairfax County, a Magistrate is appointed to a Region and may be assigned anywhere within the Region. Region 5 includes Fairfax County, Prince William County, Alexandria, and Arlington. 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.
Duties and Responsibilities:
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.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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.