# What is the difference between a judge and a magistrate in Florida?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-judge-and-a-magistrate-in-florida/473607>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 20, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-judge-and-a-magistrate-in-florida/473607 "2008-11-20T04:23:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![aluminumdisc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@aluminumdisc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aluminumdisc)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-judge-and-a-magistrate-in-florida/473607/1 "2008-11-20T04:23:48Z")

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I overheard to attorneys talking at a popular breakfast hang out and they were furious that a case was going before a magistrate.

What’s up with that?  
Thanks  
AD

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**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-judge-and-a-magistrate-in-florida/473607/2 "2008-11-20T04:41:21Z")

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In Federal Court in Florida and elsewhere, a magistrate is somewhat of a junior judge (don’t tel them I said that) They hear misdemeanor cases, and civil cases by agreement of the parties. District Court judges often refer motions they don’t want to deal with to Magistrate Judges. Some lawyers don’t like that, especially if the magistrate is not perceived to be as good as the judge. Magistrates serve 10 year terms, judges for life.

If they were in State court, someone else will have to explain to you. Probably something similar.