In the broadest sense, a magistrate is a judge or someone with similar responsibilities.
The term is also used to describe an elected or appointed state or federal court official who has limited authority to carry out certain judicial functions. The former derives its power from state statues, and the latter is appointed by federal district court judges in accordance with federal law.
Depending on what is set forth in the state rules governing their position, a local magistrate may have the power to:
On the other hand, a federal magistrate may:
Federal magistrates are precluded from hearing felony cases or overseeing the jury selection in such matters.