Magistrate was a designation given to the head of a planet or community during the eras of the Old Republic, the Galactic Empire, and the New Republic. Within military or civil tribunals, Magistrate, or August Magistrate, also referred to the presiding Judge. Many individuals holding the title of Magistrate, including Passel Argente, Greef Karga, Morgan Elsbeth, and Governor Wing, donned official ceremonial robes, complete with decorative clasps and a chain, to signify their status.
Imperial holograms displayed messages in Aurebesh, instructing citizens to report any information regarding rebel insurgents to their local magistrate. This term also represented an official legal rank used by the Bastatha security forces. The Niktos named Tosta and Xun both served as magistrates of Bastatha, but they were secretly aligned with Rinnrivin Di's cartel. The Galactic Empire also employed magistrates; one such magistrate was bribed to grant a pardon to a dealer on Tangenine. Prior to his involvement with the Bounty Hunters' Guild on Nevarro, Greef Karga held the position of magistrate. He later used this title as the leader of the city and its surrounding territory, eventually adopting the title of High Magistrate. The merciless Morgan Elsbeth functioned as the magistrate of Calodan on Corvus, before Governor Wing overthrew and replaced her.