magistrate

Everyday

1. (law) An official who acts as a judge in a local court, dealing with less serious crimes and some family or local matters. tree →
2. (UK) A volunteer from the community, also called a Justice of the Peace (JP), who hears cases in a magistrates' court. tree →
3. (history) In old Rome and other places, a person who held public power, like a mayor or governor. tree →

In the lessons

In citizenship lessons, magistrates are part of the justice system: in England and Wales most criminal cases start in a magistrates' court; in Australia and New Zealand magistrates also run local courts. Magistrates decide if someone is guilty of minor crimes and give punishments like fines. Phrases: «magistrates' court», «appear before a magistrate», «the magistrate fined him».

Examples

• The man had to appear before a magistrate for speeding. tree →
• Magistrates in England are usually volunteers, not paid lawyers. tree →
• The magistrate fined her for dropping litter. tree →
• Most criminal cases start in the magistrates' court. tree →
• Our neighbour is a magistrate and sits in court twice a month. tree →
• The magistrate listened to both sides before deciding. tree →
• In ancient Rome, magistrates ran the city. tree →
• A magistrate can send serious cases to a higher court. tree →
• Then the magistrate, pointing to Pinocchio, said in a very solemn voice: tree →

Note

Countable: one magistrate, two magistrates. «Magistrates' court» has the apostrophe after the s. A magistrate is not always a trained lawyer (in the UK many are volunteers). Not the same as a «judge», who deals with bigger cases. Not a maths word.

In Jewish tradition

In Isaiah it means a ruler or governor of the people. It is a picture of what the leaders will be like in a future time.

Interpretation. Isaiah promises that peace and righteousness themselves will rule the people. Tradition reads this as a vision of an age of justice, often linked to the time of redemption.

Examples

• For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron; I will also make thy officers peace, and righteousness thy magistrates. (Prophets ISA.60.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: one magistrate, two magistrates. «Magistrates' court» has the apostrophe after the s. A magistrate is not always a trained lawyer (in the UK many are volunteers). Not the same as a «judge», who deals with bigger cases. Not a maths word.