What is the difference between a judge and a magistrate?

The difference between a judge and a magistrate in Maine is significant and lies in the scope of authority they are granted. A judge is an appointed or elected official that presides over a court of law. Judges are given the power to hear cases and to make legally binding decisions. For example in the state of Maine, a judge may hear civil cases, issue search warrants, and sentence people to jail. Judges usually have extensive legal knowledge and/or experience. A magistrate, on the other hand, is a judicial officer who may preside over low-level court proceedings such as minor criminal cases or hearings. In Maine, a magistrate may issue search warrants, but they do not have the authority to sentence people to jail. Magistrates are typically appointed or elected individuals who have some legal knowledge, but do not have the same level of knowledge or experience as a judge. Magistrates generally handle procedural matters such as preliminary hearings, but a judge will resolve the final disposition of a case.

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What is the difference between a judge and a magistrate?

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