Legal Definitions - federal magistrate

Definition: A federal magistrate, also known as a United States Magistrate Judge, is a judicial officer who assists federal district court judges in various tasks, such as conducting pretrial hearings, issuing search warrants, and handling certain criminal and civil cases.

Example: A federal magistrate may preside over a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to hold a defendant in custody before trial. They may also oversee settlement negotiations in a civil case.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a federal magistrate can assist a district court judge by handling certain tasks, such as conducting pretrial hearings and overseeing settlement negotiations. This allows the district court judge to focus on other important matters, such as making final rulings and decisions in cases.