North Carolina § 7A-170 - Nature of office and oath; age limit for service.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 7A-170 — Nature of office and oath; age limit for service., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 7A-170. Nature of office and oath; age limit for service.
A magistrate is an officer of the district court. Before entering upon the duties of his office, a magistrate shall take the oath of office prescribed for a magistrate of the General Court of Justice. A magistrate possesses all the powers of his office at all times during his term. No magistrate may continue in office beyond the last day of the month in which the magistrate reaches the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges of the General Court of Justice specified in G.S. 7A-4.20. History (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1969, c. 1190, s. 13; 1977, c. 945, s. 2; 2013-277, s. 1.) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2013-277, s. 2, made the amendment to this section by Session Laws 2013-277, s. 1, applicable to individuals whose terms of office as magistrates begin on or after January 1, 2015. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2013-277, s. 1, effective January 1, 2015, in the section heading, added "age limit for service" and made a minor punctuation change; redesignated the formerly undesignated provisions of this section as present subsection (a); and added subsection (b). Legal Periodicals. - For comment, "The FMA and the Constitutional Validity of Magistrate Judges' Authority to Accept Felony Guilty Pleas," see 38 Campbell L. Rev. 131 (2016).
Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 7A-170
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 7A-170 cover?
Section 7A-170 ("Nature of office and oath; age limit for service.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Carolina § 7A-170?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 7A-170" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.
How does North Carolina § 7A-170 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.