Magistrates are lay people from various backgrounds who volunteer to serve in magistrates' courts in England and Wales. They are not required to have legal expertise but receive training and assistance from legal advisors. Magistrates hear less serious criminal cases and can also deal with cases involving juveniles and family issues. However, magistrates have been criticized for not representing a broad cross-section of society and for being predominantly older, white, and male. Becoming a magistrate provides an opportunity to gain legal knowledge and experience while helping to serve one's local community.

1. Who they are?
• Magistrates come from different aspects of life and
backgrounds.
• Lay Magistrates also are known as Justice of the peace
and are volunteer people who serve in the magistrates
court in England and wales.
• They are ordinary lay people. They do not need to be
experts in law as training is available for them and also
legal advisors help them in the court room.
• They deal with cases in the Magistrates court, mainly
summary offences but can also sit tribal either way
offences.
• www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/who-are-the.../
magistrates
•
http://www.findlaw.co.uk/law/criminal/criminal_courts/8
036.html
• http://www.findlaw.co.uk/law/criminal/criminal_courts/4
0028.html

2. What they do?
. Magistrates sit in court cases in their local area, they help
solve disputes and hear criminal cases. Magistrates have to
apply the law in cases
. Magistrates deal with cases which have a impact on the
area/community where they live. It can be said Magistrates
play a major role in making decisions which impact their
community such as for example alcohol related crimes and
anti social behaviour.
Magistrates can also deal with the first stage of serious
offences such as murder and rape which are indictable
offences. The first hearing can take place in magistrates
court until it is referred to crown court.

3. . As magistrates gain further experience
they have the power to deal with cases
within the youth court which involve
defendants that are between the age of 10
and 18.
. Some magistrates also can deal with
cases in the Family court such as issues
concerning children's welfare
.Magistrates are expected to sit at least 26
half day court sittings each year and can
deal with many interesting cases.

4. Criticism
. Magistrates have been criticised for not having a true
cross selection of society. Magistrates age is meant to vary
between 18 and 65 but it has been criticised for having to
many older people.
. As well as this magistrates are meant to be from all types
of class backgrounds but have been criticised for having too
many white middle class magistrates. There needs to be
more young working class people sitting as magistrates.
. Also the majority of magistrates are male so thus not a
true balance of gender.
. There needs to be more female women applying and
sitting as magistrates.

5. Why get involved?
. Magistrates gives citizens a great opportunity and insight into Law. Great aspects
can be learnt about Law for example sentencing powers for magistrates, the
punishment for different crimes.
. Magistrates can deal with many different cases varying from crimes such as
assault, battery, drink driving offences
. Becoming a magistrate is a ideal opportunity for individuals to develop skills
such as decision making, communication skills and team work. Furthermore it can
also greatly assist in helping individuals careers for employment.
. Also as magistrates sit in cases that are linked in with their community it can
help build social awareness. So thus is a fantastic opportunity for individuals who
are passionate about making a difference in their community for example making
the community a safer place to live.
. It can also help build confidence and legal knowledge.
. It can also assist in helping ones organisation and timing skills. Being a
magistrate requires you to attend court and hear cases.

6.  Overall being a magistrate is a fantastic prospect to gain
legal and expertise knowledge in a specialist subject
such as law. Also at the same time gaining an insight
into ones local community and developing ideas for
reform/retribution within society.
 So get involved and volunteer for Magistrates today.