Search Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law

Browse Dictionary of Law

A A A

magistrate

(ma-jə-strāt, -strət) (n)

[Latin magistratus magistracy, magistrate, from magistr-magister master, political superior]

:a civil or judicial official vested with limited judicial powers a family support ⁓a traffic ⁓

2 a

:a municipal, state, or federal judicial officer commonly authorized to issue warrants, hear minor cases, and conduct preliminary or pretrial hearings called also magistrate judge

:an official (as a judge) authorized to perform the role or function of a magistrate ⁓ means an officer having power to issue a warrant for the arrest of a person charged with a public offense Arizona Revised Statutes