What is the Difference Between an Attorney-Referee and a Judge

[mamabear23]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: NY

Can someone tell me what the difference between a Court Attorney Referee and a Judge? And what the pros/cons of each are?

I came across this article: http://rochesterfamilylawyer.korotki...to-hear-cases/ indicating that both parties need to sign an agreement for the CAR, or it will go to a judge.

"Sometimes there are reasons to have the case heard by a Family Court Judge, and the parties should consider not agreeing to the referee’s jurisdiction under appropriate circumstances."

Are judges better equipped than CAR in certain areas?

[Mr. Knowitall]

An attorney-referee works for the judge, and handles certain types of legal matters for the judge. Generally speaking, the purpose is to allow the judge to process more cases than he could manage without the additional help. Just like judges, some referees have a reputation for being very good and fair, while others have reputations for being less diligent, less impartial, etc. -- there's no way to know the reputation of any individual judge or referee without investigating within the legal community. It's my understanding that in your state, once you consent to a hearing by a referee the outcome will be binding upon you just as if it were issued by the judge under whose auspices the referee hears cases.