Thomas Babington Macaulay
Thomas Babington Macaulay

None of the modes by which a magistrate is appointed, popular election, the accident of the lot, or the accident of birth, affords, as far as we can perceive, much security for his being wiser than any of his neighbours.

Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor

The confidence and respect shown by my countrymen in calling me to be the Chief Magistrate of a Republic holding a high rank among the nations of the earth have inspired me with feelings of the most profound gratitude.

Braveheart
Braveheart

Longshanks: Scottish rebels have routed one of my garrisons and murdered the noble lord.
Prince Edward: I heard. This Wallace is a brigand, nothing more.
Longshanks: And how would you deal with this 'brigand?'
Prince Edward: Like any common thief. Have the local magistrate arrest him and punish him

accordingly.
Longshanks: [to all] Leave us.
[room clears, then Longshanks strikes the Prince]
Longshanks: Wallace has already killed the magistrate, and taken control of the town!

Braveheart
Braveheart

[Wallace is brought before the Royal Magistrate accused of treason against "his" King, Longshanks]
William Wallace: Never, in my whole life, have I ever sworn allegiance to him.
Royal Magistrate: It matters not. He is your King.

Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow

Ichabod Crane: Doctor Lancaster, Reverend Steenwyck, Notary Hardenbrook, and Magistrates Philipse, who tried to cut and run, and lost his head. Four frightned men, arguing on the very night Magistrate Philipse was killed. There's a conspiracy here. The doctor, the reverend, the notary, and the magistrate. What is the secret that unites them? Magistrate Philipse knew there were

five bodies to four graves, knew the widow was pregnant, but would not tell me the name of the father. What does this point to? We must proceed by a process of elimination. I shall make a list of every man and woman in Sleepy Hollow, starting with their chief citizen, Baltus Van Tassel. I feel we're getting very close.
Young Masbath: Yes. I suppose Baltus is the chief

citizen, now that old Van Garrett is dead.
Ichabod Crane: Yes. The Van Garretts. I had almost forgotten them.
Ichabod Crane: Come with me.
Young Masbath: Where are we going?
Ichabod Crane: To Notary Hardenbrook's.
Young Masbath: Have you thought of something?

Ichabod Crane: Yes. I have.

The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo

Old Man Dantes: [Making a toast] May this moment be the dawn of a new and wonderful life for you both...
Gendarmes Captain: [after smashing open the door] Which one of you is Edmond Dantes?
Edmond: I am.
Gendarmes Captain: Edmond Dantes, you are under arrest by order of the chief magistrate of Marseille.

Old Man Dantes: Arrest?
Edmond: On what charges?
Gendarmes Captain: That information is privilaged
[gestures to his men]
Gendarmes Captain: Take him!
Edmond: [Struggling with guards] I demand an explanation! I demand an explanation!

The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo

Abbe Faria: Strange that a chief magistrate would burn evidence of a treasonous conspiracy, and then imprison the only man who was aware of monsieur Clarion's connection to that conspiracy.
Edmond: He was protecting someone.
Abbe Faria: Ah. A dear friend, perhaps?
Edmond: No. No. A politician like Villefort

would have rid himself of such friends. Clarion could be a relative. A close relative, possibly...
[as realization dawns on him, he overturns a table in anger]
Edmond: No! Villefort's father was a colonel in Napoleon's army. Villefort wasn't protecting Clarion. He was protecting himself. Danglars, who falsely said he saw Napoleon give me that letter. Mondego, who

told Villefort I had it. And Villefort himself, who sent me here.
Abbe Faria: [clapping] Bravo, Edmond. Bravo.