Comparing lay magistrates and District Judges Flashcards
What is the difference in the pay M and DJ are paid?
M only receive paid expenses
DJ’s are paid a full salary
What is the difference in the qualifications of an A and a DJ?
M’s are not legally qualified
DJs must be qualified as a barrister or solicitor
If someone wanted to be deputy Judge what could they be ?
a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives
What is the difference in the way M and Dj’s sit?
M sits for 26 half days a year
DJ’s sit full-time
What is the difference in age of M and DJ?
DJ’s are younger than Ms
What is the average age of Dj’d?
35-55
What is the age of half of all magistrates?
60+
What is an advantage of DJ’s in terms of time?
they deal with cases more speedily than ay magistrates
What is an advantage of a DJ’s expertise compared to a M?
They can deal with more complex cases
How many M could 1 DJ replace?
30
What did a survey find in regards to DJ and M?
court users have more confidence in DJ’s than M’s
In regards to sentencing how are Djs better?
They are more consistent and use the correct procedure
In terms of living areas how are DJ’s a disadvantage?
They are not likely to be from the local community unlike lay magistrates who must live or work in or near the area for the court they sit in
What did a survey find from the public in regards to M being more advantageous than DJ’s?
They found that the public thought lay magistrate would be better at representing the views of the community and sympathetic with the defendants’ circumstances
What did a survey find in regards to the way M and DJ’s explain the cases?
They found that court users considered lay magistrates better than DJ’s at using simple language and showing concern to distressed victims
