Lay magistrates are part-time judges who preside over minor criminal cases in lower courts. They come from all walks of life and do not require legal qualifications. The document provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of magistrates, the types of cases they handle, and the qualifications being sought for new magistrates. It encourages readers to apply if they have good character, communication skills, maturity, and can commit to hearing at least 26 cases per year on a voluntary basis.

1. By Jacqueline Robinson

2. Justices of Peace
Part of the
community to
represent the
community
No legal knowledge,
experience or
qualifications
necessary
What Are Lay Magistrates?

3. Who Is Who In Magistrates?
Three Magistrates- The “Chair”
(centre) and the two “wingers”
(either side of chair).
Clerk- Ensures Magistrates have all
information for case. Legal
background. Ensures case proceeds
correctly.
Lawyers- Prosecution & defence.
Usher- Escorts witnesses to seats.
Calls everyone to stand on arrival &
departure of Magistrates.
http://www.cheshire.police.uk/images/magistrates-court.jpg
For more info or a visual tour, see video-https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF46W6LvHY4

4. What Do They Deal With?
Motoring
offenses
Minor
criminal
damage
Drunk &
disorderly
Summary
Offences
(Less serious)
Theft
Handling
stolen
goods
Burglary
Drug
offences
Either-way
Offences
(Can be dealt with
by Magistrates or
by Judge & Jury at
Crown Court)
Lay Magistrates do NOT deal with Indictable- Only Offences. e.g. Murder, Manslaughter, Rape or
Robbery. These must be heard at Crown Court.

5. Powers Of Lay Magistrates
 Decide to keep accused in custody
 Grant bail & under strict conditions
 Decide if another hearing is needed
 Decide if more evidence is needed before sentence is passed
 Decide if case should be passed to Crown Court for trial and/or
sentencing
 Issuing warrants for arrests or searches

6. Powers of Lay Magistrates
 Give verdict on accused
 Pass punishment of up to 6 months imprisonment and/ or up to
£5000.00 penalty (for 1 single offence)
 Decide to send defendant convicted of either-way offence to Crown
Court for sentencing
 Community service order
 Probation order
 Decide to grant certain licenses or certificates (e.g betting permits,
liquor licenses)

7. Potential Benefits Of Being Involved?
 Work is Voluntary BUT expenses are reimbursed (Travel,
refreshments, small loss of earnings)
 Free training available (basic continuous training of 12 hours every
3 years)
 You would gain experience
 Gained experience could possibly lead to a paid position
 If you have a background involving petty crime, this could be your
chance to give something back to the community
 Changing lives, punishing the guilty, clearing the innocent.

8. What Are We Looking For?
 Mix of gender, age & ethnicity
 Aged between 18 – 70
 Good character
 Good understanding
 Good communication
 Social awareness (know what’s going on around your community)
 Maturity

9. What Are We Looking For?
 Sound temperament
 Sound judgement
 Reliability
 Commitment (You must be able to do at least 26 half-day
court sittings per year)
 Honesty
 Open mindedness
Do YOU have what it takes? Do YOU have these qualities? Can YOU make a difference?

10. Why We Want You!
• Younger
• Different ethnicities
• Different genders
• Different job/ financial backgrounds
We want
more
people
involved..
YOU know YOUR community!
YOU could be a great rep for YOUR community!
YOU could help YOUR community!
YOU can have the power to put wrong to right, in and for YOUR community!
If you care & want to make a difference, get involved!
Who better to help YOUR community than YOU?!

11. How To Get Involved?
If you think you have what it takes & want to read more, check out these
useful links…
http://www.magistrates-association.org.uk/about-magistrates/applying-to-become-
a-magistrate/
www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/courts/magistrates-advisory-committees.pdf
http://www,judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/who-are-the-judiciary/judicial-roles/
magistrates/
http://www.obv.org.uk/what-we-do/schemes/magistrate-scheme-
2007/8/frequently-asked-questions-faq
http://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/what-magistrates-do