Magistrates

Magistrates

• They are known as justices of the peace
• They are volunteers and unpaid
• They have to be intelligent, committed, show judicial aptitude and be reliable with good character. 
• They must have common sense.
• Their main job is listening to summary cases which they decide and if guilty give out the sentences to the defendant. 

summary - minor criminal offences such as common assault

• You can be appointed at 18 and you must retire at 70
• There is a blind magistrate but no deaf ones.
• Serious criminals cannot be magistrates as they could be biased. Also, if  you are closely connected with someone who works in the police service or a traffic warden you would not be eligible for the position.

Training

Magistrates are…