NC H126

Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop a Code of Conduct for all magistrates by July 1, 2018, covering professional conduct standards, duties, responsibilities, and ethical decision-making.

Chief district judges gain authority to discipline magistrates through letters of caution, written reprimands, or suspension without pay for up to 10 days within one pay period based on investigation and written findings of misconduct.

Chief district judges must designate a full-time magistrate as chief magistrate in each county to serve an indefinite term at the judge's pleasure and exercise delegated administrative authority over magistrate schedules and assignments.

Magistrates may be assigned to temporary duty in other counties within their district or, with approval, to adjoining districts, removing the limitation that this only occur during emergencies.

Magistrate term dates shift from January 1 to February 1, with initial terms of two years followed by four-year terms, and appointment nomination periods move from December to January.