Lay Magistrates are judges who preside over the Magistrates Court and are made up of the members of the British community

Lay Magistrates are also referred to as Justices of the peace

Anyone between 18 and 65 can become a Lay magistrate

Do you have what it takes to become a Lay Magistrate?

What is a Lay Magistrate?

Magistrates Are Volunteers from across England And Wales and judge over trials in the Magistrates court

A case in the Magistrates court is judged by 3 Magistrates

There Are 21,500 Magistrates across England and Wales(Scotland and Northern Ireland are monitored and governed separately)

What is a Lay Magistrate?

Examples of cases that are only dealt in the Magistrates court(Summary offences)

Public Drunkenness, Traffic Violations, Minor Assault

Example of Cases that can be dealt by the Magistrates Court or the Crown court (Either-way offences)

Theft, Handling stolen goods, Minor drugs cases

What is a Lay Magistrate?

Examples of cases that are not dealt in the Magistrates court and are passed onto the crown court :

Murder/ Manslaughter

Rape

Theft

Drug Distribution

What is a Lay Magistrate?

MagistratesWitness

Clerk of Court

Defendant

Lawyer

Court Usher

Artist Impression of a Magistrates Court session

OtherOther

The Magistrates Court

Becoming a Magistrate Involves contributing to your local community and the United Kingdom.

Gain experience and knowledge on the law of England and Wales

Enhance you communication skills which will benefit your future career

Great to include on a CV

Why Become a Magistrate

Enhance you decision making, communication and work efficiently in a group

Although its voluntary and a result no pay expenses such as travel costs and meals can be claimed back

Gain training that will also be advantageous in other careers related to law

Why Become a Magistrate

In conclusion if you want to become a Lay Magistrate you need to be the following:

Be between the ages of 18 - 65

A British Citizen

With the following Qualities

Good communication skills

Reliability

Time Management

Sound Judgement

Can “YOU” be a Magistrate?

To close with you wont be able to be Magistrate if:

If you are deaf or have issues with your hearing

Have any previous convictions

Have previous traffic violations within the last 5 – 10 years

If you are part are a member of the : E.g.. Police force, Military forces, Traffic warden

Can “YOU” be a Magistrate?

If you want to apply you can visit your local Magistrates court or visit:

https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/apply-to-be-a-magistrate

Application

Information

https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/can-you-be-a-magistrate

http://www.takepart.org/contentControl/documentControl/12477_12468_how%20to%20become%20a%20magistrate.pdf

http://www.findlaw.co.uk/law/criminal/criminal_courts/8036.html

Images

Slide 3 - http://www.magistrates-association.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/bench-16.jpg

Slide 4 - http://www.business-superstar.com/uploads/blog/Identity-Theft.jpg

Slide 5 - http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110817002354/breakingbad/images/thumb/e/ea/Season_4_-_Heisenberg.jpg/220px-Season_4_-_Heisenberg.jpg

http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110620212155/breakingbad/images/9/98/Season_4_-_Jesse.jpg

Slide 6 Image (edited) - http://www.cheshire.police.uk/images/magistrates-court.jpg

Slide 7 - http://www.magistrates-association.org.uk/pix/MIC2008%20thoughtful%20young%20man.jpg

Slide 9 - http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080603014419/simpsons/images/4/46/Judge_Snyder.jpg

Slide 10 - http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_small/8/80778/2054877-jane_kaczmarek_simpsons_constance_harm_mitmvc.jpg

Bibliography