lay people Flashcards
1
Q
who are lay magistrates?
A
unpaid, part time judges who have no legal qualifications and hear cases in the magistrates court.
2
Q
what qualities should a magistrate have?
A
- good character
- understanding and communication
- social awareness
- maturity and sound temperament
- commitment and reliability
3
Q
who cannot be a lay magistrate?
A
- people with serious criminal convictions
- relatives of those working in the local criminal justice system
- those whose work is incompatible with sitting as a magistrate.
4
Q
what helps a judge decide who to appoint?
A
- local advisory committees
- recruitment of magistrates via advertisements
- interview panels
5
Q
what is the role and powers of magistrates?
A
- deal with summary cases
- deal with triable either way offences
- deal with preliminary hearings
- deciding sentences
- coming to a verdict
- deal with first hearing of indictable offences
