Final answer:
A defendant may appear before a magistrate judge when violating a court order or if the situation involves a criminal matter resulting in a preliminary hearing or indictment. Plea bargaining can also lead to a defendant's appearance in court, as it involves the defendant agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
Step-by-step explanation:
A defendant might appear before a magistrate judge under various circumstances, predominantly related to criminal matters. Two methods through which a defendant may be required to appear before a magistrate judge include:
- Violating a court order, which is a direct defiance of a judge's legal directive and can lead to either criminal or civil contempt charges, prompting a court appearance.
- If it involves a criminal matter, such as committing a felony or misdemeanor, the defendant will be brought before a judge for a preliminary hearing after an indictment or a police arrest. During these hearings, the judge informs the defendant of the charges, rights to counsel, and the defendant will enter a plea.
Moreover, specific court procedures like plea bargaining can also result in a defendant appearing in court as they might plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence. In contrast, reporting a crime or filing a lawsuit, generally lead to appearances in civil court, not before a magistrate judge.