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Masters and magistrates are not appointed by the governor nor are their qualifications reviewed by the Alaska Judicial Council. Their appointments are made for an indefinite period by the presiding judge of the judicial district in which they serve. They serve at the pleasure of the presiding judge, and are not subject to retention elections like Alaskan judges and justices. This evaluation provides the court, the legal community, law enforcement, and the public with information about the performance of Alaska’s masters and magistrates. The evaluation also provides useful feedback to these judicial officers.
Masters preside over various superior court matters. A master must be a member of the Alaska Bar Association. The decision of a master is made as a recommendation to a superior court judge. Masters preside over non-contested and contested matters in the following areas:
Magistrates preside over most district court matters in areas of the state with no full-time district court judge. Some magistrates serve more than one court location. Magistrates also serve in metropolitan areas to handle routine matters and to ease the workload of the district court. A magistrate does not have to be a lawyer. A magistrate must be 21 years of age, a United States citizen, and a citizen of Alaska for six months prior to appointment. Magistrates have many important responsibilities including:
