Legal Definitions - district-court magistrate

A district-court magistrate is a type of judicial officer with limited jurisdiction and authority, often on the local level and restricted to criminal cases. They are responsible for conducting preliminary criminal hearings and may order that a defendant be released for lack of evidence, sent to jail to await trial, or released on bail. In some states, they are given the power to set bail, accept bond, accept guilty pleas, impose sentences for traffic violations and similar offenses, and conduct informal hearings on civil infractions.

• Police Magistrate: A judicial officer who has jurisdiction to try minor criminal offenses, breaches of police regulations, and similar violations.
• Stipendiary Magistrate: A salaried magistrate that performs either in the place of or along with Justices of the Peace, and is appointed from barristers and solicitors of seven years' standing.
• District-Court Magistrate: In some states, a quasi-judicial officer given the power to set bail, accept bond, accept guilty pleas, impose sentences for traffic violations and similar offenses, and conduct informal hearings on civil infractions.

These examples illustrate the different types of magistrates and their specific roles and responsibilities within the judicial system. They are appointed to handle cases that do not require the attention of higher courts and are responsible for ensuring that justice is served in a fair and impartial manner.