“I was the probate judge , for a change ; Dill led Jem away and crammed him beneath the steps , poking him with the brush-broom”

What does the word probate tells of the judge ?
Well i feel thats it tell me that the judge had to officially approve something which i could infer that he was  a fair judge .

Why does Dill have to cram Jem beneath the steps ? Are they hiding something ?
Dill was poking Jem with the brush-broom , why did he do it ?

DRAFT2