NC H154

Administrative Office of the Courts must develop a Code of Conduct for all magistrates by July 1, 2020, covering professional conduct standards, duties, responsibilities, and ethical decision-making.

Chief district court judges gain authority to discipline magistrates through issuing caution letters, written reprimands, or suspending magistrates without pay for up to 10 days within one pay period.

Chief district court judges may assign magistrates to temporary duty outside their home county within the district, or to adjoining districts with approval from the Administrative Officer of the Courts.

Each county's chief district court judge must designate a full-time magistrate to serve as chief magistrate with derivative administrative authority, when the judge determines it serves the interests of justice.

Magistrate term of office begins on February 1 of even-numbered years (changed from January 1 of odd-numbered years), with initial terms of two years and subsequent terms of four years.