Magistrates Flashcards
1
Q
What is a magistrate?
A
An unpaid and legally unqualified person who decides if an offender is guilty or not guilty
2
Q
What roles do magistrates carry out?
A
.reaching decisions
.bail hearings
.preliminary hearings
.all summary offences
3
Q
What are the 6 key qualities magistrates need?
A
.good character .understanding and communication .social awareness .maturity and sound temperament .sound judgement .commitment and reliability
4
Q
Why is the area significant that magistrates sit in?
A
Because the driving distance is short if they’re needed in an emergency and because of the local justice areas
5
Q
What are the 3 restrictions?
A
.close relatives wont be appointed
.The disabled or learning impaired won’t be employed
.Relatives of those working in the local and criminal justice area aren’t likely to be appointed
6
Q
Advantages of magistrates? (6)
A
.cross section of society .Younger generations than judges .greater level of empathy .cheap .legal adviser .few appeals
7
Q
Disadvantages of magistrates? (4)
A
.middle aged, middle classed .bias and believe police .reliance on the clerk .inconsistency in sentencing .case hardened. Repeat sentences etc
8
Q
How many magistrates sit?
A
3
