LAY ADJUDICATION

Question 1

magistrates court

Answer 1

• preliminary hearings for all cases
• jurisdiction fro summary or eitherway trials
• mainly criminal with some quasi civil jurisdiction
• sit as a panel of 3

Question 2

magistrates duty

Answer 2

• criminal cases
• determining guilt and sentencing
• remand on bail or in custody
• allocation of cases in crown court
• crown court appeals
• civil cases
• non payment of council tax
• youth and family court
• growing jurisdiction

Question 3

advantages of magistrates

Answer 3

• cheap
• legal advisor since 1999 had to be qualified
• fewer appeals

Question 4

disadvantages of magistrates

Answer 4

• middle aged and middle class
• prosecution bias (established relation with cps)
• inconsistency in sentencing
• reliance on the legal advisor

Question 5

define a jury

Answer 5

a body of 12 people sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them in court

Question 6

determining factors of a jury

Answer 6

1. aged 18-75
2. registered to vote
3. resident in the uk
4. ‘mentally disordered’ or life imprisonment are disqualified
5. you can apply to be excused only once
6. the court with retain discretion
7. eligible people will receive a jury summons