State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Vermont > Title-04 > Chapter-10 > 461
§ 461. Office of magistrate; jurisdiction; selection; term
(a) The office of magistrate is created within the family court. Except as provided in section 463 of this title, the office of magistrate shall have jurisdiction concurrent with the family court to hear and dispose of the following cases:
(1) Proceedings for the establishment, modification and enforcement of child support.
(2) Cases arising under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.
(3) Child support in parentage cases after parentage has been determined.
(4) Cases arising under section 5533 of Title 33, when delegated by the family court.
(5) Proceedings to establish, modify or enforce temporary orders for spousal maintenance in accordance with sections 594a and 752 of Title 15.
(6) Proceedings to modify or enforce temporary or final parent-child contact orders issued pursuant to this title.
(b) A magistrate shall be an attorney admitted to practice in Vermont with at least four years of general law practice. Magistrates shall be nominated, appointed and confirmed in the manner of superior judges.
(c) The term of office of a magistrate shall be six years. Any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired portion of the term vacated. A magistrate may be reappointed by the governor under this section without review by the judicial nominating board, but a reappointment shall require the consent of the senate.
(d) Magistrates shall be exempt employees of the judicial branch, subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct, and shall devote full time to their duties. The supreme court shall prescribe training requirements for magistrates.
(e) A magistrate shall have received training on the subject of parent-child contact before being assigned to hear and determine motions filed pursuant to subdivision (a)(6) of this section.
(f) [Repealed.] (Added 1989, No. 221 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 189 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 5, 1992; 1993, No. 227 (Adj. Sess.), § 21; 1995, No. 63, § 139a; 1995, No. 181 (Adj. Sess.), § 19; 1999, No. 54, § 2.)
