Lofton named magistrate judge of Virginia's 16th district
Mauricus Lofton
Lofton, of Danville, Ky., was appointed by the Supreme Court of Virginia to serve as a magistrate judge for Virginia's 16th judicial district. The appointment comes after the approval of three chief circuit judges in Lofton's district.
"My ultimate career goal since middle school has been to become a circuit judge. This appointment is a huge step in that direction," Lofton said.
According to Lofton, the principal function of Virginian magistrates is to provide an independent review of complaints of criminal conduct brought by law enforcement or the general public. Magisterial duties include issuing arrest warrants, summonses, bonds, search warrants, subpoenas, medical detention orders, EPOs and other civil warrants. Magistrates also conduct bail hearings in instances which an individual is arrested on a warrant charging him or her with a criminal offense.
Lofton graduated from the University of Louisville's College of Arts and Sciences in 2009 and received his juris doctorate from the University of Kentucky in 2012.