The Magistrate's Office is located in the basement of the courthouse complex inside the Sheriff's Office.

Magistrates are judicial officers whose primary responsibilities include providing an independent
review of complaints of criminal activity brought by law enforcement officers and citizens and
making bail determinations of those arrested upon criminal charges. They have a judicial role in the civil commitment process for those who have a mental illness. They also have the authority to issue emergency protective orders. In the execution of these duties, magistrates operate in a manner similar to judges, although within a more limited sphere of decision-making. Information courtesy Virginia's Judicial System

Magistrates have no power to take any action unless authority has been expressly conferred by statute. Magistrates have the following powers:

• To issue arrest warrants.
• To issue search warrants.
• To admit to bail or commit to jail.
• To issue warrants and subpoenas.
• To issue civil warrants and pre-trial levies and seizures.
• To administer oaths and take acknowledgements.
• To act as a conservator of the peace.
• To accept prepayment for traffic and certain minor misdemeanor offenses.
• To issue emergency custody orders.
• To issue temporary mental detention orders.
• To issue medical emergency custody and temporary detention orders.
• To issue emergency protective orders.
• To issue out of service orders.

As a general rule, magistrates may exercise their authority only within the borders of their judicial district.

Address	Phone
13049 W. James Anderson Highway	434.969.1772 FAX 434.969.2104