Let's first study Magistrate
A magistrate is a civil servant who manages the law in a particular area, i.e. district or city. The word 'magistrate' is derived from the old French word 'Magistrat', which means "Civil officers in charge of administrating laws" which also means "A magistrate, public machinery". This is the person who listens to civil or criminal matters and makes a decision. It will not be wrong to say that the District Magistrate or District Collector is the Chief Executive, Administrative, and Revenue Officer. He establishes necessary coordination between various government agencies working in the district.
History of Magistrate
Warren Hasting created the District Magistrate post in 1772. The main function of the District Magistrate is to inspect the general administration, recover land revenue, and maintain law and order in the district. At that time, he was the head of the revenue organisations. He was also responsible for the registration of land, division of fields, settlement of disputes, management of mortgages, giving loans to farmers, and drought relief. All other office-bearers of the district were subordinate to him and provided him with information about each activity of their respective departments. The work of the District Magistrate was also entrusted to them. Being a District Magistrate, he also inspects the police and subordinate courts of the district.
Who is a Judge?
A judge is a person who takes a decision. That is, a judge is a person who abides by the court's proceedings, either alone, or with the panel of the judges. In terms of the law, a judge has been described as a judicial officer who manages the proceedings of the court and considers several facts and details of the matter like legal matters that are decided to hear and make decisions. Therefore, he is a Judicial officer appointed to hear and decide matters relating to law. The word 'Judge' has been derived from the Anglo-French word 'Juger' which means 'To form an opinion about'. Also, from Latin 'Judicare' which means 'to judge, to examine officially, form an opinion upon and pronounce judgement'.
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What is the difference between the Magistrate and the Judge?
- A judge can be described as an arbitrator, i.e. the person who decides on a matter in the court. On the contrary, a magistrate is a regional judicial officer who is elected by the judges of the high court of the state to maintain law and order in a particular area or region.
- A magistrate makes decisions on small or minor matters. In fact, the Magistrate gives initial decisions in criminal cases. He is known to have powers more of an administrator. On the contrary, the judge makes decisions in serious and complex cases, in which knowledge of the law and the ability to make a personal decision is very essential.
- Magistrate has limited jurisdiction over a judge.
- Judicial Magistrate and Chief Judicial Magistrate are appointed by the High Court while the Governor appoints the District Magistrate. On the contrary, the President appoints the judge of the Supreme Court while the High Court judges are appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the State.
- Contrary to a judge, a magistrate only has limited law enforcement and administrative powers.
- The judge is always an official with a law degree. But the magistrate does not require a law degree in every country. That is, the magistrate may or may not have a legal degree, but it is mandatory for the appointment of a judge to be a legal degree, as well as practicing advocacy in a court.
- Magistrate has the power to impose fines and imprisonment for a specific period. But judges have the right to pass a sentence of death or life imprisonment.
Now you may have understood that the judge can decide on a certain matter in the court. The verdict by the Supreme Court Judge is final and no appeal can be made for this. On the other hand, the magistrate is like an administrator who takes care of the law and order in the special area.