About This Role
This role is for a judicial officer appointed by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, working in the James City Magistrate Office. The Magistrate's duties involve issuing warrants, conducting bail hearings, and performing other legal functions, often with varied schedules including weekends and holidays. The position comes with a comprehensive benefits package.
Responsibilities
- Issue arrest warrants and summonses for criminal offenses and other violations of Virginia law
- Issue search warrants
- Conduct bail hearings and admit persons charged with criminal offenses to bail or commit them to jail
- Issue Emergency Protective Orders
- Issue mental health and medical custody and detention orders
- Perform other acts or functions authorized by law
Requirements
- United States citizen
- Resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
- 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
- General computer proficiency and typing skills
- Must attend an intensive training course focusing on Virginia law and procedure if not previously certified as a Magistrate
- Must pass a written examination and complete a certification process including supervised on-the-job training
Nice to have:
- Relevant legal experience, training, or education
- Membership of the Virginia State Bar
Benefits
- Vacation and sick leave
- Paid state and federal holidays
- Health insurance
- Retirement benefits
- Life insurance
- Deferred compensation
- Short-term and long-term disability benefits
Important Details
- Application deadline: Oct 29 2026 - 01:00 EDT
- Schedule: Magistrate offices are open 7 days per week, 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays; specific schedule may vary
- Contract: Magistrates work under the supervision of a Chief Magistrate