Magistrate

Magistrate in United Kingdom

Definition of Magistrate

Magistrates are sometimes known as justices of the peace.

Meaning of Magistrate

The following is an old definition of Magistrate [1]: A governor, rulsr, officer. Correlative, the people.Supreme magistrate. One in whom the sovereign power of the state resides. Subordinate magistrate. Derives his authority from, and is accountable to, the former, and acts in an inferior, secondary sphere. Of the former are Parliament and the king; of the latter, sheriffs, coroners, justices of the peace, constables, surveyors of highways, overseers of the poor. The President is the chief magistrate of the nation; the governors are the chief magistrates of the States. It is difficult to fix a definite meaning to the word “magistrate,” a generic term importing a public officer, exercising a public authority. A consul at a foreign port is a magistrate, A person clothed with power as a public civil officer. . . The appellation is not confined to justices of the peace, and other persons ejusdem generis, who exercise general judicial powers; but it includes others, whose main duties are strictly executive. Magisterial. Belonging or pertaining to the office or duties of a magistrate. Magistracy. The office or position of a, magistrate, or of all governmental officers as a body or class. Magistrate’s court. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a court, not of record, for police and civil cases, with jurisdiction not exceeding one hundred dollars. The constitution of 1874 established one such court for every thirty thousand inhabitants. The term of office is five years. The magistrates are elected on a, general ticket by the voters at large; and they are compensated by a fixed salary paid by the county. No increase of civil jurisdiction is allowable; and no political duties may be conferred upon them.

Resources

Notes and References

  1. Concept of Magistrate provided by the Anderson Dictionary of Law (1889) (Dictionary of Law consisting of Judicial Definitions and Explanations of Words, Phrases and Maxims and an Exposition of the Principles of Law: Comprising a Dictionary and Compendium of American and English Jurisprudence; William C. Anderson; T. H. Flood and Company, Law Publishers, Chicago, United States)

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