Extracted From:
  A LAW DICTIONARY ..., SIXTH EDITION, 1856
  by John Bouvier, CHILDS & PETERSON, PHILADELPHIA

MAGISTRATE, mun. law. A public civil officer, invested with some part of the
legislative, executive, or judicial power given by the constitution. In a
narrower sense this term includes only inferior judicial officers, as justices
of the peace. 
   The president of the United States is the chief magistrate of this nation;
the governors are the chief magistrates of their respective states. 
   It is the duty of all magistrates to exercise the power, vested in them for
the good of the people, according to law, and with zeal and fidelity. A neglect
on the part of a magistrate to exercise the functions of his office, when
required by law, is a misdemeanor....

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