District Judge Valarie Costanzo is one of 11 district magisterial judges in Washington County. Magisterial Court is the court of initial jurisdiction for all criminal cases. Summary and preliminary hearings are held in these courts, for both felony and misdemeanor cases. Magisterial judges also hears civil cases brought by a resident against a business where the damages are less than $8,000. District judges can also perform marriage ceremonies. They are elected officials who serve six-year terms.
District Judge Valarie Costanzo presides over a magisterial district that includes Cecil, Hickory, half of Imperial, Lawrence, McDonald, Muse, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson, Southview and Westland.