Magistrates
- Created by: Ella Nixon
- Created on: 04-05-14 13:47
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- Magistrates
- Selection
- 1) Apply to Magistrate's court
- 2) Applications sifted through by Local Advisory Committee
- 3) Second interview based on practical decision making activities
- 4) If successful, candidates passed on to Lord Chief Justice who will recommend them for appointment by the Lord Chancellor
- Criteria in the Justice of the Peace Act
- Aged between 18-70 (over 64s not likely)
- Need for a balanced bench to represent community is taken into account
- Certain professions are ineligible e.g. police
- Criminal convictions or bankruptcy may be disqualified
- Characteristics wanted
- Sound temperament
- Social awareness
- Maturity
- Good decision making
- Commitment and reliability
- Understanding and communication
- Sound judgement
- Role of magistrates
- Hold summary trials for summary and either way offences
- Listen to evidence and decide verdict and charges
- Must sentence- up to 6 months prison or £5,000 fine
- Advised by a clerk
- Clerk is also responsible for training, court administration and paperwork
- Carry out administrative tasks e.g. bail hearings, granting arrest and search warrants, transferring indictable offences, send up if sentencing powers are limited.
- two JPs sit with judge to hear appeals from Magistrates' court on sentencing
- Hold summary trials for summary and either way offences
- Specially trained
- For Youth Courts
- For civil proceedings in Family Proceedings court
- Judicial seperation
- Adoption
- Maintenance
- Selection
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