Magistrate

A magistrate is a judicial officer with limited authority to administer and enforce the law. A magistrate's court may have jurisdiction in civil or criminal cases, or both.

In Continental Europe

Under the civil law systems of European countries such as Italy, Spain and France, "magistrate" is a generic term which comprises both prosecutors and judges. It should be noted that the legal systems of these countries are not identical, and thus show some relevant differences in the judiciary organization. As for Italy, the role of prosecutors and the role of judges is radically different; they have different powers and different responsibilities. It is true that a prosecutor can become a judge and vice versa; but this can only happen in different stages of one's career, and never in the same trial. Anti-corruption magistrates (they actually were, or are, public prosecutors) in Italy have in recent years played a key role in fighting criminal organizations such as the Mafia. Antonio di Pietro, Paolo Borsellino and Gherardo Colombo are among the most famous, as was Giovanni Falcone, who was murdered in 1992 by a Mafia bomb in Palermo. The bomb also killed his wife and three bodyguards, and galvanized Italian public opinion against the Mafia.

Related Topics:
Italy - Spain - France - Mafia - Antonio di Pietro - Paolo Borsellino - Gherardo Colombo - Giovanni Falcone - Palermo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~