The Work of the Magistrates Court and Magistrates

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The Work of the Magistrates Court and Magistrates

In the legal system there are many different types of courts. This

essay talks about the Magistrates Courts and the Magistrates

themselves. The office of magistrate dates back to the 12th century

when Richard 1 appointed "keepers of the peace". They have performed

judicial functions since the 13th century and the term, justice of the

peace was being used as far back as 1361. Magistrates were in charge

of the police up until 1839. Paid magistrates have existed since the

late 18th century and they have had to be legally qualified since the

mid 19th century, when it was decided they must be barristers.

Lay magistrates in England and Wales, except in the Duchy of

Lancaster, are appointed by the Lord Chancellor on behalf of the

Sovereign. Candidates are recommended to the Lord Chancellor for

appointment by his local advisory Committees. These consist of

magistrates and other local people. The Lord Chancellor will consider

a candidate's personal suitability for appointment regardless of

ethnic origin, gender, marital status, political affliction, religion

or (depending on the physical requirements of the office) disability.

Preparation for becoming a magistrate involves induction evenings,

training days and visits to prisons and young offenders institutions.

It may take two years to be vetted, approved, trained and sworn in but

to become the chair, they will need at least five years experience.

On appointment, magistrates are required to swear, or affirm, that

they :

'Will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen

Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, ac...

... middle of paper ...

...ir case not to be heard in the

magistrates court they will usually tried in the Crown Court. The

Crown Court has a lot more sentencing power then the magistrates court

so a downside to this choice is if they are found guilty they are

likely to have a harsher punishment than a magistrates court would

give.

For a single criminal offence committed by an adult, a magistrates

sentencing powers include the imposition of fines, community service

orders, probation orders or a period of time in custody. Magistrates

cannot normally order sentences which exceed 6 months (or 12 months

for consecutive sentences) or fines exceeding £5000. Magistrates may

also sit in the Crown court with a judge to hear appeals from

magistrates's courts against conviction or sentence and proceedings on

committal to the crown court for sentence.

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