What are the general patterns of compensation, method of selection, legal qualifications, and tenure for each type of quasi-judicial officer?
Aldermen exist only in Delaware. They are appointed, and their tenure varies by town. Although not legally trained, they preside over misdemeanor and traffic offenses. Associate judges occupy full-time positions and are appointed to either two- or four-year terms. They are all legally trained. They handle criminal, misdemeanor, traffic, and routine civil cases. Chancellors exist in Delaware, Mississippi, and Tennessee, but information on those positions is very limited. Commissioners are present in California, Louisiana, Missouri, and Utah, but information is currently only available for California. Commissioners there are legally trained, full-time professionals, who have the authority to adjudicate both civil and criminal cases. They are appointed for indefinite terms. Magistrates constitute the second most frequent position and are usually appointed at the local level. Their compensation is set locally. Most magistrates are legally trained, although there are exceptions. They have t
