magistrate

noun

1. a civil officer charged with the administration of the law.
2. a minor judicial officer, as a justice of the peace or the judge of a police court, having jurisdiction to try minor criminal cases and to conduct preliminary examinations of persons charged with serious crimes.

noun

1. a public officer concerned with the administration of lawRelated adjective: magisterial
2. another name for justice of the peace
3. NZ the former name for district court judge

n.late 14c., “civil officer in charge of administering laws,” from Old French magistrat, from Latin magistratus “a magistrate, public functionary,” originally “magisterial rank or office,” from magistrare “serve as a magistrate,” from magister “chief, director” (see master). Related: Magistracy.