Magistracy

Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

In its most enlarged signification, this term includes all officers, legislative, executive, and judicial. For example, in most of the state constitutions will be found this provision: "The powers of the government are divided into three distinct departments, and each of these is confided to a separate magistracy, to wit, those which are legislative, to one; those which are executive, to another; and those which are judiciary, to another."

In a more confined sense, it signifies the body of officers whose duty it is to put the laws in force; as, judges, justices of the peace, and the like.

In a still narrower sense, it is employed to designate the body of justices of the peace. It is also used for the office of a magistrate. MAGISTRALIA BREVIA (Lat.) Writs adapted to special cases, and so called because drawn by the masters in chancery. 1 Spence, Eq. Jur. 289. For the difference between these and judicial writs, see Bracton, 413b.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

In its most enlarged signification, this term includes all officers, legislative, executive, and judicial. For example, in some of the state constitutions will be found this provision: "the powers of the government are divided into three distinct departments, and each of these is confided to a separate magistracy, to wit: those which are legislative, to one; those which are executive, to another; and those which are judicial, to another."

In a more confined sense, it signifies the body of officers whose duty it is to interpret the laws; as, judges, justices of the peace, and the like.

In a still narrower sense, it is employed to designate the body of justices of the peace. It is also used for the office of a magistrate.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

This term may have a more or less extensive signification according to the use and connection in which it occurs. In its widest sense it includes the whole body of public functionaries, whether their offices be legislative, judicial, executive or administrative. In a more restricted (and more usual) meaning, it denotes the class of officers who are charged with the application and execution of the laws. In a still more confined use, it designates the body of judicial officers of the lowest rank, and more especially those who have jurisdiction for the trial and punishment of petty misdemeanors or the preliminary steps of a criminal prosecution, such as police judges and Justices of the peace. The term also denotes the office of a magistrate.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

This term may have a more or less extensive signification according to the use and connection in which it occurs, In its widest sense it includes the whole body of public functionaries, whether their offices be legislative, judicial, executive, or administrative. In a more restricted (and more usual) meaning, it denotes the class of officers who are charged with the application and execution of the laws. Ina still more confined use, it designates the body of judicial officers of the lowest rank, and wore especially those who have jurisdiction for the trial and punishment of petty misdemeanors or the preliminary steps of a criminal prosecution, such as police judges and justices of the peace. The term also denotes the office of a magistrate.