The Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate Court is elected by the voters for four-year terms. The Magistrate Court has criminal and civil jurisdictions. The criminal jurisdiction consists of issuing arrest warrants, conducting first appearance hearings, and presiding over and conducting trials for county ordinance violations, misdemeanor bad checks, criminal trespass, alcohol beverage violations involving persons under 21 years of age, shoplifting, and possession of marijuana less than one ounce. The civil jurisdiction consists of the trial and adjudication of civil claims for $15,000 or less, abandoned vehicles, foreclosures and garnishments.