Criminal Jurisdiction of the Magistrates' Courts

Introduction

Jurisdiction-legal right to hear the case
Try all summary cases (33% driving offences, assault and battery, 37% other)
Some triable-either way offences
FIrst Hearing of all indictable offences
Side matters e.g. issuing warrants, detention extentions and hearing bail applications if police refuse bail

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Branch of Mags Court
Mags have to be specially trained
Deals with young offenders-10-17 yrs
Children under 10 cannot be charged with a criminal offence (believe dont' truly know difference between right and wrong)
Murder, mandlaughter, **** and causing death by dangerous driving-offender can be tried in the Crown Court
Offenders over 14 can be tried in the Crown Court for a serious offences-max sentence at least 14 yrs
Sits in private
Press may attend but can't publish name of offender or identify in any other way eg School
Magistrates must be under 65
At least 1 female and 1 male
Less formal
Guadians of parent of under 16 MUST attend.
Court can ask for parents of 16 or 17 year olds to attend

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Adult idictable/triable either way 24%

Youth Cases 6%

Adult Summary Motoring 33%

Adult Summary Non-Motoring 37%

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Branch of Mags Court
Adoption orders
Proceedings concerning the welfare of children under the CHildren Act 1989
Order for protection against violence
Maintanance Orders
- make an order to pay for the care of your children and/or your partnet
A FAMILY COURT DOES NOT GRANT DECREES OF DIVORCE

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Enforcing council tax demands
Issuing warrants of entry and investigation to gas and electricity companies
Hearing appeals against the refusal of a licence to sell alcohol
Hear family cases including maintenance orders and orders for protections against violence
Hear proceedings under CHildren Act 1989

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