NC H691

Allows chief district judges in counties with 20 or more authorized magistrates to designate one full-time magistrate as chief magistrate for an indefinite term at the judge's discretion.

Grants the chief magistrate derivative administrative authority to assign matters to other magistrates and prescribe their work schedules and locations, duties previously handled directly by the chief district judge.

Provides additional compensation for a chief magistrate equal to the salary differential between a chief district court judge and other district court judges, on top of the full-time magistrate salary.

Applies only when the chief district judge determines that designating a chief magistrate would be in the interest of justice.

Becomes effective July 1, 2011.