Lay magistrates hear 95% of criminal cases in Magistrates' Courts, deciding guilt or innocence. If guilty, defendants may face prison time of up to 6 months for one offense or 12 months for multiple offenses, as well as fines up to £5,000. Magistrates' Courts handle summary, indictable, and either way offenses. Becoming a lay magistrate allows one to make a difference in their local community's criminal justice system and have a say in people's justice. Those interested in applying should be between 18-70, have good character and skills, and commitment to flexibility.

1. Can you make a difference?
LAY MAGISTRATES

3. LAYOUT OF A MAGISTRATES’ COURT

4. TOUR OF A MAGISTRATES’ COURT

5. BEING A LAY MAGISTRATE...
 The role of a Lay Magistrate is to hear 95%
of criminal cases. They then decide if the
person is guilty or innocent.
 If found guilty, the defendant
will either be dealt with in the
Magistrates’ Court, or the case
may be sent to a Crown Court.
This is dependent on the severity of the
case.

6. POWER...
 Lay Magistrates have the power to sentence
a defendant to prison for up to 6
months for one offence.
This increases to 12
months for multiple offences.
 They can also fine defendant
any sum of money up to £5,000.
 Lay Magistrates are also able to give a
combination of these punishments.

7. CASES...
 There are 3 types of cases heard in Magistrate
Courts these are:
 Summary Offences – this includes
motoring offences or disorderly
behaviour. Usually end in Magistrates’
Court.
 Indictable Offences – includes murder, rape,
manslaughter etc. Generally Magistrates
decide whether or not to grant bail
or reporting restrictions. The case
is then passed on to a Crown Court.
 Either Way Offences – these are cases
that can end in either court.

8. WHY?
 You might now
be asking yourself
‘Why do I want to be a Lay Magistrate?’. Well,
you can make a huge difference.
 There is generally a specific type of person who
sign up to be Lay Magistrates. It’s time for
change.
 You can make a difference to the
criminal justice system. You can
have your say in the justice for
people in your local community.

9. WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR...
 Mix of age, gender
and ethnicity.
 Between the ages of
18 and 70.
 Must have:
 Good character
 Understanding nature
 Good communication
skills
 Social awareness
 Maturity
 Sound temperament
 Sound judgement
 Reliability
 Commitment
 Honesty
 Open mindedness

10. BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES...
 You will be given free training on
how to deal with cases appropriately.
 You will have all of you expenses
covered, this includes food and
travel etc.
 If you work, your employer is required to give
you paid time of to do your duty.
 It’s only 26 half days per year.
Therefore it’s flexible and shouldn’t
impact too much on your day to day life.

11. YOUR NEXT STEP...
 Want more information about being a Lay Magistrate
or want to apply to be one follow these links:
 https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/what-magistrates-do
 http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/who-are-the-
judiciary/judicial-roles/magistrates/
 https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/apply-to-be-a-magistrate
 http://www.obv.org.uk/what-we-do/schemes/magistrate-scheme-
2007/8/frequently-asked-questions-faq