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Simple English definitions for legal terms
metropolitan magistrate
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A quick definition of metropolitan magistrate:
A metropolitan magistrate is a type of judge who has limited jurisdiction and authority, often in criminal cases. They conduct preliminary criminal hearings and may order that a defendant be released for lack of evidence, sent to jail to await trial, or released on bail. They are also responsible for examining and ruling on certain aspects of a criminal proceeding before it comes before a judge. In some states, there are also district-court magistrates who have the power to set bail, accept bond, accept guilty pleas, impose sentences for traffic violations and similar offenses, and conduct informal hearings on civil infractions.
A more thorough explanation:
A metropolitan magistrate is a type of judicial officer with limited jurisdiction and authority, often on the local level and restricted to criminal cases. They conduct preliminary criminal hearings and may order that a defendant be released for lack of evidence, sent to jail to await trial, or released on bail.
- Police Magistrate: A judicial officer who has jurisdiction to try minor criminal offenses, breaches of police regulations, and similar violations.
- Stipendiary Magistrate: A salaried magistrate that performs either in the place of or along with Justices of the Peace, and is appointed from barristers and solicitors of seven years' standing.
- Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate: A stipendiary magistrate with jurisdiction in inner London areas.
These examples illustrate the different types of magistrates and their specific roles and jurisdictions. For instance, a police magistrate has the authority to try minor criminal offenses, while a stipendiary magistrate is a salaried magistrate that performs in the place of or along with Justices of the Peace. A metropolitan stipendiary magistrate has jurisdiction in inner London areas.