Lay Magistrates


	Evaluation of Lay Magistrates
	Advantages Magistrates provide a better representation of society than professional judges- 55% of Lay Magistrates are women compared to 21% of court of appeal judges Magistrates will normally live or work within the area in which they sit, although this is no longer a formal requirement The use of lay magistrates is cheap as they only have to be reimbursed for their expenses and subsistence The trial itself at a magistrates' court is also cheaper than in a crown court The availability of a Legal advisor is also seen as an advantage as there is constant access to advice on points of law and procedure There are very few appeals from the Magistrates' court suggesting they are doing a good job. 1/3 fewer appeals come from the Magistrates	Disadvantages There are areas of society which are very under represented Over the last few years, Magistrates' courts have been closing which can cuse problems to access for some people and we are therefore increasingly losing the 'local knowledge' aspect. "middle aged, middle class, middle minded" There is a low aquittal rate in the Magistrates court which does suggest that there may be some prosecution bias. There is often seento be inconsistency in sentencing across different areas Magistrates are often criticised for relying too heavily on the legal advisor. Link to R v Eccles Justices ex Farrelly (1992)
	Evaluation

Magistrates provide a better representation of society than professional judges- 55% of Lay Magistrates are women compared to 21% of court of appeal judges
Magistrates will normally live or work within the area in which they sit, although this is no longer a formal requirement
The use of lay magistrates is cheap as they only have to be reimbursed for their expenses and subsistence
The trial itself at a magistrates' court is also cheaper than in a crown court
The availability of a Legal advisor is also seen as an advantage as there is constant access to advice on points of law and procedure
There are very few appeals from the Magistrates' court suggesting they are doing a good job. 1/3 fewer appeals come from the Magistrates

There are areas of society which are very under represented
Over the last few years, Magistrates' courts have been closing which can cuse problems to access for some people and we are therefore increasingly losing the 'local knowledge' aspect.
"middle aged, middle class, middle minded"
There is a low aquittal rate in the Magistrates court which does suggest that there may be some prosecution bias.
There is often seento be inconsistency in sentencing across different areas
Magistrates are often criticised for relying too heavily on the legal advisor. Link to R v Eccles Justices ex Farrelly (1992)

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