What is the equivalent of a magistrate in the States please? Thank you.?

The actual definition may vary by the state. We have Court Commissioners that hear civil law, such as divorce and probate. We also have Municipal Judges that can hear ordinance violations and traffic infractions. Neither can hear a criminal case.

Michigan does have Magistrates, they are the equivalent of a Municipal Judge in my state.

The first step for a criminal case is a Circuit Judge.

It depends on the state it is either magistrate or more commonly justice of the peace or a lower tier judge.

Some courts in the USA have magistrates as well

in my state,well at least my city (pittsburgh pennsylvania) we have magistrates-its like a local judge here-we have constables too -but it is the second state formed in the u.s. so i guess it still has some british ways ;)

a judge..