How do they match: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

  • Presiding Judge
  • Administrative Law Judge

  • Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.

  • Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.
  • Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
  • Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
  • Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.

  • Prepare written decisions for legal proceedings.
  • Identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.