General Discussion

onenote

(46,148 posts)

31. Its not a small distinction.

Fri Mar 30, 2012, 03:02 PM

Mar 2012

First, as has been repeatedly noted, a magistrate in Virginia doesn't have to be a lawyer or go to law school. Second, they are not paid anywhere near to what a judge is paid ($35K to $50K compared to $160K to $180K).

Second, the list of tasks that they can perform today is broader than what it was in the years Zimmerman's father was serving as a magistrate. The law was "updated" in 2008 to give magistrates a bit more to do.

http://bellehaven.patch.com/articles/fairfax-chief-magistrate-criticizes-changes-to-system
http://valawyersweekly.com/2008/04/07/magistrate-system-is-upgraded-pay-is-not/

I don't know if you live in Virginia and have had direct experience with magistrates, but I do and have. And the professionals that deal with them regularly (lawyers, prosecutors, police) do not consider them the equivalent of "judges."

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

48 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Robert Zimmerman was not a judge [View all] Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 OP

Agreed SteveABG Mar 2012 #1

The elder had a townhome/condo in a nearby more affluent area. George was married and living in hlthe2b Mar 2012 #5

Median Household Income: onenote Mar 2012 #11

Thanks for that. I wondered about that since the initial reports kept saying Zimmerman lived in HiPointDem Mar 2012 #35

If he has pull through his family, which I tend to doubt, its more likely the military background onenote Mar 2012 #46

His house value is not all that much - market value less than $120,000 now csziggy Mar 2012 #47

From the VA statute, magistrates are not required to be lawyers--only possess BS degree of some kind hlthe2b Mar 2012 #2

Also keep in mind that the position of magistrate was upgraded in 2008 onenote Mar 2012 #12

what's the difference Enrique Mar 2012 #3

The actual question is, did his position help Rex Mar 2012 #4

so dad has gone from being a retired Supreme Court justice of the State of Virginia to magistrate notadmblnd Mar 2012 #29

It does explain his silly comments. Rex Mar 2012 #32

From of the things I've been reading, the Klan is very active in that part of FLA notadmblnd Mar 2012 #37

Not that the title "judge" really means much anymore tularetom Mar 2012 #6

"I'd really have to think before I addressed a judge as 'your honor.'" KansDem Mar 2012 #9

In PA, there is a vast difference between magistrates and judges. enough Mar 2012 #7

That's been my experience in my state, too obamanut2012 Mar 2012 #34

The "what's the dif" crowd has been chanting that ever since that came out ProgressiveProfessor Mar 2012 #8

Well, I guess you told them, huh? Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #13

Well for some ignorance is more than just a position, its a way of life ProgressiveProfessor Mar 2012 #18

Yeah, those guys. Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #25

I would doubt that even if he had been a former judge in another state DefenseLawyer Mar 2012 #10

He has juice, and he's squezing it. Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #15

Duly noted. Doesn't change much except it shows the father knows red tape well. slampoet Mar 2012 #14

Definately. He has friends, and favors to call in and knows the local levers to pull. Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #16

Zimmerman's father doesn't even live in Sanford. He lives in Lake Mary onenote Mar 2012 #19

Yes, a whole 'nother world. Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #26

Anything at all to back that up? ProgressiveProfessor Mar 2012 #20

The State Attorney was either at the scene or station at nearly 8pm or later on a Sunday night. slampoet Mar 2012 #22

So inference only ProgressiveProfessor Mar 2012 #23

At this point we need you on the ground! Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #27

BTDT in the past...but not anymore ProgressiveProfessor Mar 2012 #38

A judicial commissioner or a magistrate signs warrants. Fawke Em Mar 2012 #17

Ever see Night Court? A Magistrate does arraignments, bail, fines. Judge, but not Trial Judge. leveymg Mar 2012 #21

Night Court? That wasn't accurate for NY, let alone the real world ProgressiveProfessor Mar 2012 #24

"Thanks for confirming that Robert J. Zimmerman was NOT a VA Judge" Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #28

They are Judges. They issue summonses, warrants, and protective custody orders. A Judge leveymg Mar 2012 #30

Its not a small distinction. onenote Mar 2012 #31

The issue is not the salary of magistrates v trial judges. It's Good Ol' Boy influence and multiple leveymg Mar 2012 #36

My guess is that if Zimmerman's father has any influence with respect to cops onenote Mar 2012 #45

My guess is that they're all members of the Billy Club Boyz Club, George a Junior Ride Along Member leveymg Mar 2012 #48

LOL! Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #39

Which means they are more buddy-buddy with cops obamanut2012 Mar 2012 #33

*ding* eom. Raine1967 Mar 2012 #42

The Magistrate is going to be PISSED when he reads this! 11 Bravo Mar 2012 #40

Lulz! Gold Metal Flake Mar 2012 #41

+1 onenote Mar 2012 #44

That's what I was thinking LOL snooper2 Mar 2012 #43