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**alias** · 03-29-2012, 08:36 AM

Zimmerman's father has legal connections:

Zimmerman: Dad worked as magistrate

ABC Action News
Tampa, FL
March 28, 2012

TAMPA, Fla. - Some viewers on the ABC Action News facebook page have asked whether George Zimmerman’s father served as a judge.
Some have speculated Zimmerman’s father may have used that position to get a 2005 charge against his son thrown out (although, while the charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer was dropped, there is no proof Zimmerman’s father played any role in making that happen).

On Wednesday, we decided to answer your questions about what was truth and what was fiction.

We obtained a copy of George Zimmerman’s application to join the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Law Enforcement Academy.

In it, Zimmerman writes that his “father is a retired Magistrate Judge for the supreme court (sic) of Virginia.”

George Zimmerman’s father is Robert Zimmerman. Robert Zimmerman gave a statement to the ‘Orlando Sentinel’ defending his son’s role in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin.

We then contacted the Virginia Supreme Court to confirm Robert Zimmerman’s employment.

Kristi Wright with the Department of Legislative and Public Relations wrote us this email in response:

“Robert J. Zimmerman served as a full-time magistrate from 2000-2006. Please be advised that in Virginia magistrates are judicial officers, but they are not considered "judges" and do not possess trial jurisdiction. More detailed information on the role of the magistrate in Virginia is available on Virginia's Judicial System Website .”

***

From that ^ Virginia Judicial System link (maybe the code of conduct expires upon retirement):

CANONS OF CONDUCT FOR VIRGINIA MAGISTRATES

Magistrates are independent judicial officers. They make decisions that directly impact the liberty, reputation and economic interests of people. Therefore, magistrates should exercise a high degree of circumspection, professionalism, dignity, and conscientiousness in performing their magisterial duties.

Canon 1

A MAGISTRATE SHOULD UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY.

Canon 2

A MAGISTRATE SHALL AVOID IMPROPRIETY AND THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY IN ALL OF THE MAGISTRATE'S ACTIVITIES.

03-29-2012, 08:36 AM	#41
alias Join Date Oct 2005 Age 76 Posts 397 Senior Member	Zimmerman's father has legal connections: Zimmerman: Dad worked as magistrate ABC Action News Tampa, FL March 28, 2012 TAMPA, Fla. - Some viewers on the ABC Action News facebook page have asked whether George Zimmerman’s father served as a judge. Some have speculated Zimmerman’s father may have used that position to get a 2005 charge against his son thrown out (although, while the charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer was dropped, there is no proof Zimmerman’s father played any role in making that happen). On Wednesday, we decided to answer your questions about what was truth and what was fiction. We obtained a copy of George Zimmerman’s application to join the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Law Enforcement Academy. In it, Zimmerman writes that his “father is a retired Magistrate Judge for the supreme court (sic) of Virginia.” George Zimmerman’s father is Robert Zimmerman. Robert Zimmerman gave a statement to the ‘Orlando Sentinel’ defending his son’s role in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin. We then contacted the Virginia Supreme Court to confirm Robert Zimmerman’s employment. Kristi Wright with the Department of Legislative and Public Relations wrote us this email in response: “Robert J. Zimmerman served as a full-time magistrate from 2000-2006. Please be advised that in Virginia magistrates are judicial officers, but they are not considered "judges" and do not possess trial jurisdiction. More detailed information on the role of the magistrate in Virginia is available on Virginia's Judicial System Website .” * From that ^ Virginia Judicial System link (maybe the code of conduct expires upon retirement): CANONS OF CONDUCT FOR VIRGINIA MAGISTRATES Magistrates are independent judicial officers. They make decisions that directly impact the liberty, reputation and economic interests of people. Therefore, magistrates should exercise a high degree of circumspection, professionalism, dignity, and conscientiousness in performing their magisterial duties. Canon 1 A MAGISTRATE SHOULD UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY. Canon 2 A MAGISTRATE SHALL AVOID IMPROPRIETY AND THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY IN ALL OF THE MAGISTRATE'S ACTIVITIES.**
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