Authority

Magistrates have the authority to:

• Accept guilty pleas, admission of responsibility and enter judgment for Infractions
• Handle misdemeanor and infractions for cases involving:
• Alcohol
• Boating offenses
• State Park/Recreational Areas
• Littering offenses
• Wildlife offenses (e.g., hunting, fishing, etc.)
• Accept written appearances, waivers of trial or hearing and guilty pleas
• Enter judgment and collect fines, penalties and costs
• Issue arrest warrants
• Issue search warrants
• Grant bail or set release conditions (non-capital offenses)
• Hear and enter judgments on worthless checks(<$2000.00)
• Conduct initial appearances
• Serve as Child Support Hearing Officers
• Hear small claims complaints and Requests for Assignment
• Administer oaths
• Provide punishment for direct criminal contempt
• Take depositions and examination before trial
• Issue subpoenas and capiases
• Take affidavits for verification of pleadings
• Assign years allowances to surviving spouses and children
• Perform marriage ceremonies
• Take acknowledgment of written contract or separation agreement
• Accept applications for involuntary commitments
• Conduct hearing for driver license revocations
• Validate vehicle towing by law enforcement
• Validate impounding of vehicles in certain DWI/DWLR charges
• Issue Domestic Violence Protection Orders