HomeMy WebLinkAboutI. A. FY 2025- 26 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN ( BUDGET) 4. MAGISTRATEPROPOSED FY 2025-26 OPERATING BUDGET
City of Virginia Beach
Andrew Truitt, Chief Magistrate
Virginia Beach Magistrate Office
Second Judicial District
April 8, 2025
Organization Summary
•Magistrates are appointed by the Executive Secretary of the
Supreme Court of Virginia
•The Virginia Beach Magistrate Office has 20 full-time magistrates and a chief magistrate
•Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
•The primary office is at the City Jail; a satellite office is located at the 2nd Police Precinct.
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Magistrate Responsibilities
•Magistrates have statutory authority to:
•Issue arrest warrants and summonses
•Conduct bail hearing and grant or deny bail
•Issue Emergency Protective Orders
•Issue Search Warrants
•Issue Mental Health Emergency Custody and Temporary Detention Orders
•Issue Emergency Medical Treatment Orders
•Issue Emergency Substantial Risk (Firearms) Orders
•Perform other acts authorized by law
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Magistrate Office Funding
•Salaries, computer equipment, and consumable office supplies are provided by the Office of the Executive Secretary
•$1.9 Million for FY23-24
•Under § 19.2-48.1 of the Code of Virginia, each locality must provide “Quarters” for magistrates and furniture/equipment necessary for the efficient operation of the office.
•Equipment and non-consumable supplies (chairs, fax machines, and more) must be purchased with local funds
•Magistrates hired before July 1, 2008 are eligible for local salary supplements
•Only three magistrates are eligible for a $5,000 annual supplement
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Magistrate Office Funding (cont.)
The Proposed FY 2025-26 Budget provides for:
•$22,295 in Personnel Costs (salary supplements and FICA)
•Actual personnel costs will decrease by approximately
$5,000
•$21,687 in Operating Expenses
•In 2023-2024, needs slightly exceeded budgeted
expenditures
•$43,982 Total Expenditures
The Proposed Budget is adequate to meet the expected needs for equipment and consumable supplies.
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Major Changes
2024-enacted amendments to § 19.2-48.1 of the Code of Virginia included (emphasis added):
Where practicable, such quarters shall be in a courthouse or a law-enforcement office where business is regularly conducted and shall include an entrance, exit, and parking for magistrates that is separate from those for members of
the public. Such quarters shall provide for the physical
security of the magistrate and shall include controlled access to interior spaces or intrusion detection, a secure physical barrier between the magistrate and members of the public, and a readily accessible duress button that connects the magistrate to local law enforcement.
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Initiatives Underway
Magistrate Office Renovation Project
•Modifications were critically needed to enhance office safety and security
o A renovation plan was developed in 2019 but put on hold
•The revised proposal was approved and the construction is complete
o It incorporates lessons learned from the increased use of video during COVID
o It includes upgraded doors, locks, and walls; two secure hearing rooms; security cameras; and integration of the office into the City’s electronic door access system. The work began in February 2024 and was completed in December 2024.
•Thanks to Assistant City Manager Monica Croskey and other members of
the City Manager’s staff for moving the process forward.
•Upgrades are still needed at the 2nd Precinct Magistrate Office.
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New Magistrate Lobby and Hearing Rooms
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Initiatives Underway
•Police Duty Officers control access to the
Magistrate Lobby at the 2nd Precinct satellite office
•Converted a modular office in the lobby to a
video hearing room
•Magistrates still have to open the door to
exchange paperwork
•Working with the City Manager’s Office to
develop cost-effective security improvements
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Conclusion
The City of Virginia Beach has improved the
Magistrate Office’s site security and the
integration of the Office into the City’s services
and solutions.
Thank you.
Any questions?
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