Vic magistrate charged over car crash

A Victorian magistrate charged over a crash has not been suspended from his job but can no longer preside over traffic or criminal cases.

Magistrate Richard Pithouse was charged on Tuesday with failing to immediately stop his motor vehicle after an accident and failing to give full details about the accident to the closest police station following a crash in Spotswood in September.

"I do not intend to stand down the magistrate as the charges are untested," Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The magistrate is entitled, as is every other member of the community, to the presumption of innocence.

"I will be assigning Mr Pithouse to the Melbourne Magistrates' Court. He will not hear any traffic or other criminal cases until the charges are determined."

The charges are due to be heard at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on March 28 for a mention hearing.

Mr Lauritsen said he had asked the attorney-general to appoint an interstate magistrate to determine the charges.