➡️ The term 'magistrate judge' is a British term ⬅️
Our common law legal system and much of the termonology of our legal system is based on British common law as it existed in 1776. (The biggest exception is the state legal system of Louisiana.) There have been many changes since then between our laws, but the artifacts of similarity (and in some cases, the laws themselves!) remain the same.
You don't think that either the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution were written entirely in a vacuum, do you?
Of course, all this has no bearing at all on whether the call being complained about was a scam. Without knowing more about the situation and without offering legal advice, however, the call -- to me, at least -- certainly has a scammy aroma.
There's no doubt the call was a scam. That's not even questionable. As far as Magistrates go, I know that in my state (NC) they are used for such duties as setting bonds & issuing complaints. They are not used in civil disputes. I'm not even sure they're even technically called "Magistrate Judges". I've never heard them described as such. I know that they take up space in the parking lot at the court house & their spaces are simply marked "Magistrate". From what I hear they're far more affable than their fully robed "cousins". I hope to not have to find out any time soon.
I'm sure the Indian scammers like to use the term "Magistrate Judge" because they think it makes them sound more "official". That & the fact that they're familiar with the term being that a lot of their legal system is loosely based on that of their former masters. We fought to be rid of the Sassenachs. The Brits just said enough is enough & sailed away from India. I think I'm starting to understand why...
Alska,
Gunnar
I'm saying you hear the term a lot more across the pond, so to speak. Sounds like someone used that term to sound official. Sorry about that guys-need to no post when half asleep
"We fought to be rid of the Sassenachs. The Brits just said enough is enough & sailed away from India." Interesting point, Gunnar! Though your ancestors (Vikings) and mine (Celts) hassled with those pesky Sassenachs through the centuries too, with varying results :-)