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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Magistrate Judge, U.S.
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A quick definition of Magistrate Judge, U.S.:
A Magistrate Judge is a person who works for the government and helps judges with cases. They can listen to problems that people have before a trial and help decide what should happen next. They can also hold small trials for less serious crimes. Magistrate Judges are part of the federal court system in the United States.
A more thorough explanation:
A Magistrate Judge, U.S. is a federal judicial officer who handles civil and criminal pretrial matters. They may also conduct civil trials or criminal misdemeanor trials. They are governed by 28 USCA §§ 631–639.
For example, if someone is accused of a minor crime like shoplifting, a Magistrate Judge may preside over the trial instead of a higher-level judge.
Magistrate Judges are sometimes also called federal magistrates or United States Magistrates. Before 1990, they were known as United States Magistrates. They may also be referred to as parajudges.
Overall, Magistrate Judges play an important role in the federal court system by handling many of the preliminary matters that come before a trial.