Changes

Judicial officers who assist U.S. district judges in getting cases ready for trial, who may decide some criminal and civil trials when both parties agree to have the case heard by a magistrate judge instead of a judge.[[category:legal terms]]

Magistrate judges are judicial officers who assist U.S. district judges in getting cases ready for trial. They also may decide some criminal and civil trials when both parties agree to have the case heard by a magistrate judge instead of a judge.[[category:legal terms]]