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Simple English definitions for legal terms
United States Magistrate Judge
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A quick definition of United States Magistrate Judge:
A United States Magistrate Judge is a person who works for the federal government and helps judges with cases before they go to trial. They can hear cases that are not very serious and can even hold trials for some smaller crimes. They are also sometimes called federal magistrates or parajudges.
A more thorough explanation:
A United States Magistrate Judge is a type of federal judicial officer who handles pretrial matters in both civil and criminal cases. They may also conduct civil trials or criminal misdemeanor trials. This position was previously known as a United States Magistrate before 1990.
For example, a United States Magistrate Judge may be responsible for overseeing the discovery process in a civil case, which involves gathering evidence from both parties. They may also preside over a criminal misdemeanor trial, such as a case involving a minor offense like disorderly conduct.
Overall, a United States Magistrate Judge plays an important role in the federal court system by assisting district judges with various aspects of their cases and helping to ensure that the legal process runs smoothly.
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