Lay Magistrates

Halima Hussain

What do magistrates do

in court?

Everything that is said in court, magistrates listen to it very carefully and take it

into mind. Once that is done, they have to then decide who is telling the truth

and whether they think the defendant is guilty or innocent. There are a number

of choices:

1. Magistrates can fine someone which means that the individual would have

to pay some money to the court, also they would get put on tag, this means

it would stop them from going out at night.

2. If they are addicted to alcohol or drugs, they would get asked to attend a

clinic to help them.

3. Attend classes to help them prepare or train for work.

4. May even send them to prison.

What do you need to

become a Magistrate?

To become a Magistrate you would not be expected to have any

qualifications, all that will be expected is for you to give up some

spare time. Full training would be provided for the role and when it

comes to questions about the law, help would also be provided by a legal advisor.

https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/can-you-be-a-magistrate

Do magistrates get

paid?

Individuals who apply for a role as a magistrate are volunteers, and they

hear cases in courts within their community.

https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/can-you-be-a-magistrate

Qualities expected

from a Magistrate?

Maturity and sound temperament

Sound judgement

Good character

Social awareness

Understanding and communication

http://www.how2become.com/competencies/personal-qualities-and-

attributes-of-a-magistrate/

Magistrate key qualities

You tube Video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1UlobbDtik

How to become a Magistrate?

If you want to become a magistrate there are different ways for

you to apply.

You can visit your local

court to check if the role

suits you.

When wanting to apply,

you need to apply to the

advisory committee.

If you have finally decided you

want to take part in the

magistrates then you can

download an application form

from the Gov website.

If you want information on

recruitment in your area, the

local advisory should be

contacted.

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/judges-

career-paths/becoming-a-magistrate/

What age do you have to

be to become a Magistrate?

Magistrates have to be 18 to the age of 65

The retiring age for magistrates is 70

Who can not sit the role

of being a Magistrate?

Police officers, armed forces and also traffic wardens can

not sit the role of becoming a magistrate. The reason for this

is, is to make sure that magistrates are impartial.

Not only people with job roles as the above, but also

individuals who have a criminal record.

http://www.findlaw.co.uk/law/criminal/criminal_courts/8037.html

http://www.inbrief.co.uk/legal-system/lay-magistrates-juries.htm

What are you going to get out of

being a magistrate?

Skills

Experience

Understanding

Making a difference

Engaging – appealing – different communities

Hughes. Ben(2014)

What sort of cases do magistrates

deal with?

Magistrates deal with crimes that are less serious, such as:

Stealing a bike

Breaking a window

Fighting

Being very drunk

Driving a car through a red traffic light

http://www.inbrief.co.uk/legal-system/lay-magistrates-juries.htm

What type of courts are there?

For young people some magistrates sit in special courts for young

people under 18 called Youth Courts. This is where the magistrates

have a different way of dealing with individuals when they have got into

trouble.

Family courts are also there, and this is to help people sort out family

problems. The type of problems would be:

• When families split up

•Parents argue about where

their children live or go to educate

https://www.gov.uk/courts/magistrates-courts

Bibliography

http://www.how2become.com/competencies/personal-qualities-and-

attributes-of-a-magistrate

http://www.inbrief.co.uk/legal-system/lay-magistrates-juries.htm

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/judges-career-

paths/becoming-a-magistrate/

https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/can-you-be-a-magistrate

https://www.gov.uk/courts/magistrates-courts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1UlobbDtik

Hughes. Ben(2014)