Magistrate: meaning, definitions and examples

A magistrate is typically a lower-level judicial officer who handles minor civil and criminal cases, including preliminary hearings, minor offenses, and small claims.

• The magistrate found the defendant guilty of the minor traffic violation.
• She appeared before the magistrate for a preliminary hearing.

A judge is a higher-ranking official who presides over court proceedings, including major civil and criminal cases. They have the authority to make legal decisions and rulings.

• The judge sentenced the criminal to ten years in prison.
• A judge must remain impartial during the trial.

Justice is often used in the context of higher courts, such as Supreme Courts, and refers to a judge who serves on these higher-level courts. The term can also be used in a broader sense to denote fairness and the administration of the law.

• Justice Stevens wrote the opinion for the majority.
• She dedicated her career to achieving justice for all.

An official is a general term that refers to a person holding a position of authority in an organization, government, or institution. This term is not specific to the judicial system and can refer to various roles, including administrative and regulatory positions.

• The government official announced new regulations for public safety.
• She was an official responsible for overseeing the election process.

Use this word when referring to a local or minor judicial officer, typically dealing with smaller or administrative legal matters.

• The magistrate presided over the small claims court to resolve the dispute.
• He was appointed as a magistrate in the town's judicial district.

This phrase is best used when discussing governmental or administrative officers in ancient Rome, often in historical or academic contexts.

• The Roman official was responsible for the administration of justice in his province.
• As a Roman official, he took part in the large infrastructure projects of the empire.

This term is suitable when speaking about judges from historical or ancient times, particularly in a historical or literary context.

• The ancient judge was known for his wisdom and fairness in ancient Greece.
• Historians often study the rulings of ancient judges to understand old legal systems.