Also known as: beaks · magistrate · judge
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A judicial officer who presides over legal proceedings and issues warrants or orders.
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President Rivera delivers the State of the Union address and urges Congress to pass new trade measures. Congress debates the proposals but reaches an impasse on adjournment timing. The president exercises authority to set a new adjournment date. The beak later applies the resulting statute when signing warrants under the enacted law.
Judge Harlan learns that her spouse holds stock in a defendant corporation. The case involves that corporation's liability for product defects. She immediately discloses the economic interest to the parties. The beak recuses herself to avoid any appearance of partiality.
Attorney Patel previously served as a law clerk to the beak who presided over a contract dispute. Patel now seeks to represent one of the original parties in related litigation. She obtains written informed consent from all sides before accepting the engagement. The beak confirms the waiver on the record.
Parties in a patent case request additional time for expert reports after new evidence surfaces. The beak finds good cause based on the unforeseen discovery. She grants the extension and revises the pretrial schedule accordingly. Trial proceeds on the adjusted dates without prejudice to either side.
Agent Torres presents a complaint by secure video link to the beak after hours. The beak reviews the probable cause showing and signs the arrest warrant electronically. Officers execute the warrant the next morning. The defendant challenges the warrant's validity on procedural grounds.
In a negligence action lacking a specific statute or regulation, the beak instructs the jury on the reasonable person standard. The jury applies that standard to the facts and returns a verdict. The losing party moves for judgment as a matter of law. The beak denies the motion, finding the verdict supported by the evidence.
The term refers to a judicial officer who presides over proceedings and issues warrants or orders.
A beak must recuse when the judge knows that the judge or a family member residing in the household has an economic interest in a party or the subject matter.
A former law clerk may not represent anyone in a matter in which the clerk participated personally and substantially unless all parties give informed consent confirmed in writing.
…and delivered it to the Secretary to be sealed. The President has then done with it; it becomes irrevocable. An appointment of a judge once completed is made forever. The requisites to be performed by the Secretary are ministerial ascertained by law and he has no discretion. In contemplation of law they are as if…