Dictionary

magistrate

a civil officer with the authority to administer the law We are now considering an appeal against the magistrate's decision.

Additional Notes

  • In the US, a magistrate can generally hear criminal-minor offences and some civil cases. A magistrate's decisions, unlike those of the judges, do not set precedents for other courts to follow.
  • In the UK, the Magistrate's court is the court of first instance for all criminal cases and some civil and family cases.