At the end of this month Alexandria Chief Magistrate George W. Ball Jr. celebrates his 20th year on the job. During that time, he has been issuing warrants, setting bonds and scheduling the first court date for those arrested.
How did you decide to become a magistrate?
A judge called and asked me. … Before that I was a defense attorney and I got tired of trying criminal cases that had nowhere to go. I was doing a lot of court-appointed cases. Being a magistrate paid better and it came with benefits.
Do any cases stand out to you over the last 20 years?
Cases that deal with someone killing someone while driving while intoxicated tend be tough cases to deal with and always stick out to me. They’re different from when someone is drunk in public. Their irresponsibility has caused someone to die.
In July you were given a new boss. Instead of answering to a Circuit Court judge, you now answer to the Office of the Executive Secretary at the Commonwealth’s Supreme Court. How has this changed your job?
We’re more of an agency now than a judicial position. It’s taken some time to get used to. When we were supervised by a judge, we got a lot of quick and direct feedback. Now that we answer to Richmond, it takes longer to get feedback and I feel less empowered. … I also have to get used to a new agenda. The judges and Richmond have different things they want to do. Many of their interests overlap, but some are different. – Freeman Klopott
