The primary duty of the magistrate is to offer an independent and impartial review of complaints regarding alleged criminal conduct submitted by law enforcement or the public. The duties of a magistrate include issuing various legal documents such as arrest warrants, summonses, bonds, search warrants, subpoenas, and certain civil warrants. The magistrate will conduct bail hearings, set terms of bail, issue jail releases and summons. Additionally, the magistrate may issue emergency protective orders at the request of a law enforcement officer or citizen and issue mental health processes to include emergency custody orders and temporary detention orders.
Magistrates provide services on an around-the-clock basis. Hearings are conducting in person and, when applicable, through videoconferencing systems which are located in the Sheriff’s Office.