Criminal courts and lay people Flashcards
How many cases do magistrates hear?
94% of all criminal cases
Where are indictable offences transferred to?
Crown court
How many are on a bench in a magistrates court?
2 or 3
What is a magistrate?
An unpaid part time judge
How many magistrates are there?
16,000
What type of offences do magistrates hear?
Summary
Triable either way
What do the magistrates decide?
The verdict
Guilty or not guilty
What is the maximum sentence a magistrate can give?
6 months but can do two seperate offence so 1 year in total
What do magistrates do for sentencing?
Pass the sentence
Where will they send someone if a magistrate doesn’t have enough sentencing power?
Crown court
What are the 3 types of preliminary hearings?
Early administrative hearing
Bail applications
Remand hearings
What is an early administrative hearing?
Handle non guilty pleas where the magistrates will hear the case before deciding where the venue of the hearing will be
What are bail applications?
When the defendant had been charged, the defendant can apply for bail which the court may grant
What is a remand hearing?
You will go to prison until your trial begins
What is a youth court?
Cases that deal with youth offenders 10-17
What do magistrates need to judge in a youth court?
Specially trained to deal with young offenders
What two magistrates must there be in a youth court?
At least one man and one woman
Where do magistrates hear appeals?
In the crown court
Who must be on the panel in a crown court for a magistrates appeal?
Two magistrates with a qualified judge
What do magistrates decide for an appeal?
Pass the verdict and judge will sentence if required
What are administrative hearings?
Magistrates hearing warrant applications
Extend a suspects detention period
What is a magistrates clerk?
A legal advisor who has been a qualified solicitor or barrister for at least 5 years
What do magistrates clerk do?
Guide on the law, practice and procedure but don’t assist in decision making
What 3 things must be needed to be a magistrate?
Between 18-70
Live or work in the local justice area
Have the 6 key qualities
What are the 6 key qualities needed to become a magistrate
Good character
Understanding and communication
Social awareness
Maturity and sound temperament
Sound judgement
Commitment and reliability
What 4 judicial qualities must magistrates have?
Make reasoned decision and break up factual information
Work as a team
Live or work in the loc justice area
Be committed to 26 half days per year
What are 4 reasons you can’t become a magistrate?
Serious convictions
Bankrupt
Work in the forces
Close relatives cannot be on the same bench
What 3 things are needed to become a magistrate?
Local advisory committee
The interview
Appointment
What do the local advisory committee do?
Advertise for women and ethic minorities and take applications for magistrates
What is needed when applying to be a magistrate?
References
How many interviews are there to become a magistrate
2
What happens in the first interview to become a magistrate?
Finds out the candidates attributes such as attitudes and personality (6 key qualities)
What happens in the second interview to become a magistrate?
Testing judicial aptitude through the discussion of cases eg. Sentencing
What happens in the appointment stage of becoming a magistrate?
LAC submit names of suitable candidates and successful applicants are sworn in at the crown court
What are juries used for?
When the defendant pleads not guilty
What courts are juries used at?
Crown court
Who do the LAC submit the suitable candidates of magistrates to?
Lord Chief Justice
How many trials a year are juries used for?
2% of all criminal cases
30,000 a year
How many jurors sit in the crown court?
12
What is a directed acquittal?
Where the judge directs the jury to acquit the defendant as there isn’t enough evidence against them
What does the jury decide?
The verdict
Guilty or not guilty
How do the jury make their decision?
Based on fact and discuss in secret in the jury room
(Don’t have to give reasons for their decisions)
What does the Criminal Courts and Justice Act 2015 say about juries?
It is a criminal offence to ask what happened in the jury room apart from when it is in the interest of justice
Eg. Misconduct
What is the unanimous verdict?
It goes to a majority verdict if it has been at least 2hrs without reaching a verdict
What is the majority verdict?
10:2
11:1
What is jury nobbling?
Acquittal rates being too high in the crown court
What does S17(3) of the Juries act 1974 state?
The foreman must announce the numbers of agreeing and disagreeing
How many verdicts a year by juries are majority verdict?
20%
What 3 things do you need to qualify for jury service?
Aged between 18-75
Registered to vote
Resident in the UK for at least 5 years since 13th birthday
What are the 5 things that decide who can be a juror?
Ineligible
Disqualified
Incapable
Excused
Deferred
Who is ineligible to be a juror?
Mentally disordered- regularly attend treatment, under guardianship or declared incapable by the judge
Who is disqualified from being a juror?
Prison sentence
5 years or more= permanently disqualified
Short sentence= disqualified for 10 years
What will happen to a person who fails to disclose that they are disqualified and turn up to jury service?
Fined up to £5000
Who is seen as incapable to be a juror?
Lack of capacity to cope with the trail
Those who don’t understand English
Blind
Deaf
Who is excused from being a juror?
Armed forces
Doctors
Pharmacists
Who now isn’t excused from being a juror?
Judges
Lawyers
Police
What does it mean to be deferred from jury service?
Any person with problems that would make it difficult to be a juror
Have to do it within 12 months
What are some examples of people being deferred from jury service?
Scheduled surgery
Pregnant
Pre-booked holiday
How are jurors selected?
Random electoral registers