In many instances, a resident's first contact with Virginia’s Judicial System comes through the Office of the Magistrate. The magistrate provides an independent, unbiased review of complaints of criminal conduct brought to the office by law enforcement or the general public.
Contact the Office of the Magistrate at 703-246-2178.
Magistrate duties include:
- Issuing arrest warrants, summonses, bonds, search warrants, subpoenas, and certain civil warrants.
- Conducting bail hearings in instances in which an individual is arrested on a warrant charging him or her with a criminal offense.
- Magistrates do not provide legal advice.
Magistrates are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Fairfax Adult Detention Center. The Mount Vernon Governmental Center has limited hours of operation for magistrate services. Call (703) 360-8400 to check availability.