That is an excellent question many people wonder what the difference between these two roles is because both judges and magistrates hear cases in court. We can only speak generally about this topic, as the specifics vary between states and regions.
In general:
comparatively, judges have much larger amounts of power than magistrates. Magistrates have fewer and more limited powers than judges.
Which type of cases do they hear? Judges generally hear larger, more complex cases while magistrates hear smaller matters such as petty crime and other related offences.
The main points of difference between the judges & magistrates are:
- Judges and magistrates have different jurisdictional powers.
- Judges can preside over a large area, sometimes the entire country.
- Magistrates have a smaller area of jurisdiction such as a city or district.
- There is a difference between the power given to a judge over a magistrate.
- Judges generally have great authority over matters, where a magistrate would be given a more narrow scope of authority. For example, only a judge can render a final judgment in a case, a magistrate cannot make a final ruling.
- Judges are elected for a set term, magistrates are appointed by the judge and serve at their pleasure.
- The same applies to pay structure, the judge’s earnings are set by law, and the magistrate’s earnings are set by the judge.
Hope now you have understood the difference between the judge & the magistrate.