Lay magistrates are volunteer judges in England and Wales who preside over cases in the Magistrates Court alongside two other magistrates. Anyone between 18-65 years old can become a lay magistrate if they are a British citizen with good communication skills and sound judgement. Lay magistrates judge over summary cases like minor assaults or traffic violations, and can also send more serious cases to the Crown Court. There are over 21,500 lay magistrates across England and Wales.

2. What is a Lay Magistrate?
 Lay Magistrates are judges who preside over the Magistrates Court
and are made up of the members of the British community
 Lay Magistrates are also referred to as Justices of the peace
 Anyone between 18 and 65 can become a Lay magistrate
 Do you have what it takes to become a Lay Magistrate?

3. What is a Lay Magistrate?
 Magistrates Are Volunteers from across England And Wales and
judge over trials in the Magistrates court
 A case in the Magistrates court is judged by 3 Magistrates
 There Are 21,500 Magistrates across England and Wales
(Scotland and Northern Ireland are monitored and governed separately)

4. What is a Lay Magistrate?
 Examples of cases that are only dealt in the Magistrates court
(Summary offences)
 Public Drunkenness, Traffic Violations, Minor Assault
 Example of Cases that can be dealt by the Magistrates Court or the
Crown court (Either-way offences)
 Theft, Handling stolen goods, Minor drugs cases

5. What is a Lay Magistrate?
 Examples of cases that are not dealt in the Magistrates court and are
passed onto the crown court :
 Murder/ Manslaughter
 Rape
 Theft
 Drug Distribution

6. The Magistrates Court
 Artist Impression of a Magistrates Court session
Magistrates
Witness
Clerk of Court
Lawyer
Defendant
Court Usher
Other Other

7. Why Become a Magistrate
 Becoming a Magistrate Involves contributing to your local
community and the United Kingdom.
 Gain experience and knowledge on the law of England and Wales
 Enhance you communication skills which will benefit your future
career
 Great to include on a CV

8. Why Become a Magistrate
 Enhance you decision making, communication and work
efficiently in a group
 Although its voluntary and a result no pay expenses such as travel
costs and meals can be claimed back
 Gain training that will also be advantageous in other careers
related to law

9. Can “YOU” be a Magistrate?
 In conclusion if you want to become a Lay Magistrate you need
to be the following:
Be between the ages of 18 - 65
A British Citizen
 With the following Qualities
Good communication skills
Reliability
Time Management
Sound Judgement

10. Can “YOU” be a Magistrate?
 To close with you wont be able to be Magistrate if:
 If you are deaf or have issues with your hearing
 Have any previous convictions
 Have previous traffic violations within the last 5 – 10 years
 If you are part are a member of the : E.g.. Police force, Military forces,
Traffic warden

11. Application
 If you want to apply you can visit your local
Magistrates court or visit:
https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/apply-to-
be-a-magistrate

12. Bibliography
Information
https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/can-you-be-a-magistrate
 http://www.takepart.org/contentControl/documentControl/12477_12468_how%20to%20become%20a%20m
agistrate.pdf
 http://www.findlaw.co.uk/law/criminal/criminal_courts/8036.html
Images
 Slide 3 - http://www.magistrates-association.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/bench-16.jpg
 Slide 4 - http://www.business-superstar.com/uploads/blog/Identity-Theft.jpg
 Slide 5 - http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110817002354/breakingbad/images/thumb/e/ea/Season_4_-
_Heisenberg.jpg/220px-Season_4_-_Heisenberg.jpg
 http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110620212155/breakingbad/images/9/98/Season_4_-_Jesse.jpg
 Slide 6 Image (edited) - http://www.cheshire.police.uk/images/magistrates-court.jpg
 Slide 7 - http://www.magistrates-association.org.uk/pix/MIC2008%20thoughtful%20young%20man.jpg
Slide 9 - http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080603014419/simpsons/images/4/46/Judge_Snyder.jpg
Slide 10 - http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_small/8/80778/2054877-
jane_kaczmarek_simpsons_constance_harm_mitmvc.jpg