How to Address a Retired Magistrate in a Letter

Magistrates are judges who hear non-jury trials.

In the United States, magistrates are appointed judges who preside over court cases tried without a jury. While magistrates primarily hear civil cases, they may also rule on misdemeanor criminal cases with the consent of both parties. As members of the judiciary, magistrates are afforded similar titles and forms of address as other government officials. Even retired magistrates retain their official forms of address for formal occasions. Learning how to properly address a retired magistrate in a letter helps you show respect to the office in which that person served.

Instructions

1. Begin the first line of address with "The Honorable Judge" followed by the first and last names of the retired magistrate.

2. Include the full name of the firm or company with which the retired magistrate currently practices on the next line if available.

3. Follow the U.S. Post Office form of address for writing out the street address to which you will send the letter. Start the street address on the next line after the name of the firm or company.

4. Use the salutation "Judge" followed by the magistrate's full name when directly addressing him in the letter. For example, "Dear Judge Barry Kurren" would appear at the beginning of a letter addressed to "The Honorable Judge Barry Kurren."

References

• Federal Magistrate Judges Association: Home Page
• The Protocol School of Washington: On-Line Guide to Forms of Address
• Laura A. Wallace: Correct Forms of Address