The Down East Seniors Club held its April 26 meeting at the Blind Center of North Carolina in Washington. President Stewart Rumley led the meeting. Jim Hackney played for the singing of “God Bless America,” and Charles Smith gave the invocation. Dick Paul provided humor.

There was one guest.

Rudy Burns introduced Marty Paramore, Beaufort County clerk of court, who was accompanied by Eric Holmes, magistrate. Paramore and Holmes told how magistrates are selected and what their job involves. When a magistrate’s position opens, the clerk of court nominates one or two candidates and sends their information to the Superior Court judge who selects the person for the job. Magistrates work under the supervision of the chief District Court judge. A magistrate’s primary function is to hold hearings for people who have just been arrested to determine whether they will be jailed or released on bond. Bond is to secure appearance in court. Bond is forfeited in cases on non-appearance. Depending on the circumstances of the case and the record of the arrested subject, the choices are: release with a written promise to appear in court, release in the custody of someone else (usually for juveniles), release with unsecured bond, release with secured bond or release to house arrest (with ankle bracelet). A magistrate is not allowed to set bond in cases of homicide, manufacturing and using meth, domestic violence, when requested not to by the governor of another state or in case of a probation violation from another state. In these cases, a District Court judge rules on bond. Magistrates also are authorized to perform marriages. When appropriate, they can hold people in contempt. Magistrates typically work 12-hour shifts, either from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on a rotating schedule.

Rumley won the 50/50 drawing.