Navarre Magistrate Lawyers

Understanding the Role of Magistrates in Florida

Navarre courts often use magistrates to help judges ease their workloads and expedite the timeline of cases. If you have a magistrate assigned to your case, you may be wondering how exactly the process works (and how they'll handle your case).

At The Virga Law Firm, P.A., we help clients navigate family law disputes, including those under magistrates.

To schedule a consultation with our team, contact us online or via phone at (800) 822-5170.

What Is a Magistrate?

Court judges appoint magistrates to handle various legal disputes in their stead. Magistrates work under judges and can adjudicate a number of cases, including divorces, modification disputes, and matters of criminal contempt, from the initial hearing to a final judgment.

Magistrates utilize the evidence presented during a case to determine what an appropriate ruling would be. They then hand that decision, as well as their reasoning, off to a court judge in the form of a referral.

Before a judge finalizes a magistrate's ruling, the individuals participating in the case have an opportunity to challenge the magistrate's judgment. You can object to a magistrate's decision by filing a written objection within ten days of a court judge ordering you and another party to appear in front of a magistrate.

After a judge hears any objections, they can decide to accept or overrule them. Depending on the court's decision, the judge may refer the case back to the magistrate for a new trial or accept the magistrate's referral and issue a final order that closes the case.

At The Virga Law Firm, P.A., we can help you understand whether a magistrate is right for your case, and defend your rights in front of a court or magistrate.

To schedule a consultation with our team, contact our office online or via phone at (800) 822-5170.