| | | "A primary distinction between a judge and a magistrate lies in their jurisdiction. Judges possess broad, or “general,” jurisdiction, allowing them to preside over serious legal matters. This includes felony criminal trials where defendants face significant prison time and complex civil lawsuits involving substantial sums of money. Their authority covers the entire lifecycle of a case, from initial filings to a final verdict.
Magistrates, conversely, operate under a more limited, or “specific,” jurisdiction delegated to them by district judges. Their work focuses on the preliminary stages of federal criminal cases, such as issuing search warrants, conducting initial appearances for defendants, and determining whether to set bail. They also handle misdemeanor and petty offense cases, traffic violations, and small claims disputes."
IOW, a low level flunky |
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