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

Ponnachan, who police said was originally from India, is due before magistrates on Wednesday.

From BBC

Prosecution barrister Edward Kalber urged magistrates to send the case to crown court "to give maximum latitude for the sentencing decision".

From BBC

Sir Andrew said he was confident the new approach could be adopted nationwide, though it would take time to train advisers, court staff, judges and magistrates.

From BBC

Her appointment as the National Assembly’s president in 2006 gave her a central role in selecting judges—especially Supreme Court magistrates.

From The Wall Street Journal

Chairwoman of the magistrates' bench Margaret Mansi noted that while he would suffer some hardship, it would not amount to exceptional hardship.

From BBC