(Justices of the Peace)
1.
In Britain, a ~ is a person who is not a lawyer but who can act as a judge in a local criminal law court. The abbreviation JP is also used.
= magistrate
N-COUNT
2.
In some states in the United States, a ~ is an official who can carry out some legal tasks, such as settling minor cases in court or performing marriages. The abbreviation JP is also used.
= magistrate
N-COUNT