role of magistrates

Question 1

what are magistrates

Answer 1

justices of peace that are volunteer judges, they are not paid for the work they do except for expenses

Question 2

what do magistrates work in (group wise)

Answer 2

3

• middle, chief magistrate, makes decisions, has the most seniority
• the sides, wing magistrates

Question 3

what type of cases do they deal with

Answer 3

• all offences go to MC
• if D pleaded guilty for a summary offence, a sentence will be passed
• if D pleads guilty for a triable either way, they can have a mode of trial hearing (decide whether to keep case at MC or take it to CC) or give a sentence
• SUMMARY AND TEW= 94% OF CRIMINAL CASES GO HERE

Question 4

what else do magistrates do

Answer 4

bail application
fine enforcement
licensing of alcohol/ gambling

Question 5

how many days are they required to work for

Answer 5

13 days, 26 half days

Question 6

Magistrates court also deals with early administrative hearings, what does this deal with

Answer 6

bail, reports and legal funding

Question 7

youth and family courts

Answer 7

You need to be specially trained

Question 8

if someone appeals, what happens

Answer 8

goes from magistrates to CC if they don’t agree with the conviction, this would be heard by a judge and two magistrates
-if a usual case, it would be 3 magistrates, a chief magistrates who sits in the middle and two wing magistrates