About The VMA

Who We Are

The Virginia Magistrates Association (VMA) is a non- profit professional association comprised of current and former Virginia Magistrates.  The association also has an honorary members’ division that is open to the public.

Our Mission

Our mission is to enhance the value of Virginia’s Magistrate System, and by extension the entire Court System of Virginia.

Our Activities

Research: 

The VMA is actively gathering concrete data about Virginia’s Magistrate system, as well as similar judicial positions in other states across the country.  Recently we released the preliminary findings of a six state comparative salary study for Magistrates and their equivalent positions in other states.  

Education: 

The VMA is actively dedicated to educating the public about the Virginia Magistrate System and other aspects of Virginia’s court system.

Strategic Thinking: 

Through our working groups, and committees, the VMA is thinking long term about the future of Virginia’s Magistrate System, and we are excited about what the future holds.  Our working groups and committees discuss critical issues facing the system, and examine possible ways to improve the system. 

We are also looking at ways to expand the type of services that Magistrates provide across the Commonwealth.  In addition, our Executive Board stays in regular contact with upper level managers within the Office of the Executive Secretary for the Supreme Court of Virginia, and passes on to them  ideas, concerns and recommendations from our membership .

 Advocacy:   

In 2012, the Virginia General Assembly adopted VMA supported legislation that made assaulting a Magistrate a felony offense in Virginia.  In the course of this public advocacy effort, we also drew attention to the lack of adequate security measures in many Magistrate offices throughout the Commonwealth.   In the past, the Association has hired lobbyists to represent the interests of Virginia’s Magistrates and other court employees before the Virginia General Assembly.