This document provides information about becoming a magistrate in the UK criminal justice system. It outlines that magistrates are unpaid volunteers who hear less serious criminal cases for 13 days or 26 half days per year. To become a magistrate, applicants must be between 18-65, of sound health and character, and able to demonstrate understanding, social awareness, maturity, sound judgment and commitment. The document describes the types of cases heard by magistrates and their sentencing powers. It encourages interested individuals to apply online or visit their local court.

2. Could YOU be a magistrate?
Do you want to be involved in the criminal justice
system?
Are you un biased and non judgemental?
Have you got 13 days or 26 half days free in a year?
Are you aged between 18 and 65?
Then you could become a MAGISTRATE

3. Sit on the bench
with 1 or 2 other
lay magistrates
Works 26 half
days per year Sit in magistrate courts
Un paid
volunteers
hearing offences such as
common assault, drink
driving, drunk and
disorderly
What is a magistrate?

4. How to become a Magistrate?
• You must be between the ages of 18 and 65
• Be of sound health and be able to hear well with or without hearing aids
• NO LEGAL KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY
• Satisfy the ‘six qualities’ which are;
1. Good character
2. Understanding and communication
3. Social awareness
4. Maturity and sound temperament
5. Sound judgment
6. Commitment and reliability

5. Who can’t become a magistrate?
You cannot become a magistrate if:
You have been declared bankrupt
If you have been found guilty of a serious crime
If you have been banned from driving in the last 5-10 years
If you have been found guilty of a number of minor offences

6. Why become a Lay Magistrate?
• Although you are unpaid you can claim for expenses such as
income loss, travel and food
• Have a say in the way cases are handled in
your area
• Help to make your community a safer
place
• Looks great on a CV
• Gain valuable experience and knowledge

7. How the magistrates court is set out

8. Types of cases magistrates hear
Magistrates hear 3 types of cases
• Summary offences- such as theft, common assault, drink driving,
drunk and disorderly
• Either was offences- these can be heard by magistrates but also by
the crown court. These offences include burglary, fraud, criminal
damage and some drug offences
• Indictable offences- the magistrates will refer these cases to the
crown courts as there sentencing powers are much higher. These
include murder and rape etc.

9. Sentencing powers of the magistrates
Magistrates courts are the courts of first instance, which means every
case starts here with approximately 90-95% of them ending here.
Magistrates are advised by clerks on their sentencing powers in each
case. The maximum sentences magistrates can give are:
• 6 months imprisonment (12 months if there is more than one
offence)
• £5,000 fine
• Community sentence
• Conditional discharge
• Unconditional discharge

10. If you think you have what it takes
to become a magistrate then you
can find the application form at
https://www.gov.uk/government/
publications/become-a-magistrate-
application-form
It is also advised to visit your local
magistrates court before you
apply to see how everything
works