Magistrates Court (8)

Question 1

Cases are heard by ___ who may be either qualified _____ _____ or unqualified ___ _____

Answer 1

cases are heard by magistrates who may be either qualified District judges or unqualified lay judges

Question 2

There is also a legally qualified ____ attached to ____ ____ .
What do they assist?

Answer 2

There is also a legally qualified clerk attached to each court to assist the magistrates.

Question 3

What are 5 things the Magistrates jurisdiction includes?

Answer 3

• Handle most criminal trials.
• Conduct preliminary hearings.
• Issue warrants and decide bail.
• Handle motoring offenses.
• Try cases in Youth Court.

Question 4

What types of cases do Magistrates’ Courts try, and what percentage do these account for?

Answer 4

Magistrates’ Courts try all summary cases and some triable either way offences. This accounts for around 97% of criminal trials each year.

Question 5

What role do Magistrates’ Courts play in preliminary hearings?

Answer 5

They deal with preliminary hearings for triable either way offences and indictable offences bound for Crown Court.

Question 6

What side matters do Magistrates’ Courts handle in criminal cases?

Answer 6

They deal with all side matters connected to criminal cases
• Issuing warrants
• Deciding bail applications
Most dealt with by the legal advisor alone.

Question 7

What is the role of Magistrates’ Courts in the Youth Court?

Answer 7

They try cases where defendants are aged 10-17, handling around 150,000 cases yearly.

Question 8

What is the maximum prison sentence Magistrates’ Courts can impose for one offence? What about two offences?

Answer 8

1 offence = 6 months
2 offences = 12 months

Question 9

What is the maximum prison sentence Magistrates’ Courts can impose for one offence? What about two offences?

Answer 9

1 offence = 6 months
2 offences = 12 months

Question 10

Can Magistrates’ Courts impose fines? Are there any limits?

Answer 10

Magistrates’ Courts can impose fines.
For the most serious offences, there is no limit on amount.
For less serious offences, there are specific limits.

Question 11

Name 2 other penalties the Magistrate’s can impose.

Answer 11

• Community orders
• Conditional charges

Question 12

Explain the jurisdiction of Magistrates

Answer 12

• Cases heard by magistrates or clerk.
• Handle all summary cases.
• Deal with triable either way cases.
• Conduct preliminary hearings for Crown Court.
• Manage side matters like warrants.
• Handle over 600,000 motoring offences.
• Try youth cases (ages 10-17).
• Maximum prison: 6 months (one offence).
• Maximum prison: 12 months (two offences).
• Fines: No limit for serious cases.
• Impose community orders or discharges.