magistrate

American  

[maj-uh-streyt, -strit] / ˈmædʒ əˌstreɪt, -strɪt /

noun

1. a civil officer charged with the administration of the law.

2. a minor judicial officer, as a justice of the peace or the judge of a police court, having jurisdiction to try minor criminal cases and to conduct preliminary examinations of persons charged with serious crimes.

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magistrate British  

/ ˈmædʒɪˌstreɪt, -strɪt /

noun

1. a public officer concerned with the administration of law

2. another name for justice of the peace

3. the former name for district court judge

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Other Word Forms

• magistrateship noun

Etymology

Origin of magistrate

1350–1400; Middle English magistrat < Latin magistrātus magistracy, magistrate, equivalent to magist ( e ) r master + -ātus -ate ³

Example Sentences

Singh, a citizen of India who lacks legal status in the U.S., was detained by ICE after a magistrate judge ordered him released on bond.

From Los Angeles Times

All the suspects deny any intention to kill, according to the investigating magistrate.

From BBC

The magistrate said: "You've shown complete disregard of the entire process, and it would be wholly unsuitable to put you back into the community at this time."

From BBC

However, this would require multiple extensions from senior police officers and a magistrates' court.

From BBC

A former private school teacher has been struck off after it was found he lied about having a degree from the University of Cambridge and serving as a magistrate.

From BBC