General Magistrates

The General Magistrate is an attorney appointed by the Chief Circuit Judge to hear certain types of cases, which include family law, civil, foreclosure, mental health, dependency, early childhood court, and truancy, and make findings based upon the evidence presented. The findings are reduced to writing in a Recommended Order for family law cases or a Report and Recommendation for all other cases. This report is basically the General Magistrates suggestion for a ruling in a particular case. If neither party files a timely Motion to Vacate the General Magistrates Recommended Order or an Exception to the General Magistrates Report and Recommendation, the Judge assigned to the case will review the Recommended Order or Report and Recommendation and if he or she is in agreement with the findings, they will enter an order approving the Recommended Order or Report and Recommendation.

 

 

Child Support Hearing Officers

The Child Support Hearing Officer is an attorney appointed by the Chief Judge to hear cases that are classified as Title IV-D cases. Child Support Hearing Officers work under the supervision of a Family Law Judge and typically hold hearings several times a month to address issues such as establishment of child support, modifications of existing orders or contempt. Child Support Hearing Officers also conduct Writ of Attachment hearings on an as-needed basis.