Judicial officers with limited jurisdiction who conduct preliminary hearings and handle minor criminal matters. Plural of magistrate.
From Latin 'magistratus' meaning a public official, from 'magister' meaning master or chief. Root 'magnus' means great. Roman legal system established the role, which evolved through medieval and modern legal systems.
Magistrates often serve as the first face of justice that citizens encounter, handling everything from traffic violations to restraining orders. Many magistrates aren't lawyers but receive specialized training, representing a democratic ideal of community members serving their peers.
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