Lay people OCR sample question
Explain the role of magistrates in both civil and criminal cases. Suggested level 4 answer:

There are about 29,000 lay magistrates in the Magistrates' Courts. They sit to hear cases as a bench of or magistrates and are assisted by a qualified court clerk who guides the magistrates on questions of and procedure. Lay magistrates have a very wide workload which is mainly connected to [?] cases, although they also deal with some [?] matters, especially family cases.

Lay are all , who sit at least half days a year. They try % of all cases, and deal with [?] hearings in the remaing 3%. They have the [?] to try all offences and decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty.

Summary offences are minor crimes such as careless driving and breach of the peace. Magistrates decide what the should be where the defendant pleads or is found . For a single criminal offence committed by an adult, the maximum sentence is months imprisonment and the maximum fine is £.

Magistrates deal with [?] hearings for all triable either way offences (eg, theft, dangerous driving, actual bodily harm). This is when magistrates make a decision on whether a triable either way offence can be tried before or must be tried in the Court before and jury. Magistrates will try cases where they are prepared to hear the case and the agrees. Magistrates can subsequently choose to commit a defendant to the Crown Court for following conviction for an either way offence if they feel their sentencing powers are [?].

Magistrates also hear the provisional hearing of [?] offences before transferring them to the Crown Court.

Lay magistrates undertake various ancillary matters connected with criminal proceedings. They can issue warrants of [?] or issue a warrant allowing the police to [?] premises. Magistrates can also issue warrants for the [?] of suspects at police stations and decide whether suspects are granted .

Specially trained magistrates sit in the to hear criminal charges against young offenders aged to years old. These magistrates must be under and a panel must usually include at least one and one . This court sits in [?] and is less formal than adult courts. Magistrates may also sit in the Court with a judge where a case is on appeal from the Magistrates Court against or sentence.

Magistrates also deal with certain cases. Specially selected and trained magistrates work in the Court and deal with a wide range of matters, most of which arise from the breakdown of [?] - eg, making orders for the residence of and contact with children, orders for protection against violence and maintenance orders. Proceedings relating to the care and control of children under the Act 1989 are also dealt with in the Family Proceedings Courts. Family and child cases are held in private.

Magistrates hear actions for owed to the gas, electricity and water authorities, non-payment of the tax and non-payment of [?] licenses. they also have powers to grant licenses for the sale of [?] and licenses for [?] establishments.

The Auld review (2001) of the criminal justice system supports the continuing use of lay magistrates. It suggests that at least two lay magistrates could sit with a District Judge and deal with middle-range offences. They would have the power to sentence offenders to up to two years imprisonment. The District Judge would decide questions of law. agrees. Magistrates can subsequently choose to commit a defendant to the Crown Court for following conviction for an either way offence if they feel their sentencing powers are .

Magistrates also hear the provisional hearing of offences before transferring them to the Crown Court.

Lay magistrates undertake various ancillary matters connected with criminal proceedings. They can issue warrants of or issue a warrant allowing the police to premises. Magistrates can also issue warrants for the of suspects at police stations and decide whether suspects are granted .

Specially trained magistrates sit in the to hear criminal charges against young offenders aged to years old. These magistrates must be under and a panel must usually include at least one and one . This court sits in and is less formal than adult courts. Magistrates may also sit in the Court with a judge where a case is on appeal from the Magistrates Court against or sentence.

Magistrates also deal with certain cases. Specially selected and trained magistrates work in the Court and deal with a wide range of matters, most of which arise from the breakdown of - eg, making orders for the residence of and contact with children, orders for protection against violence and maintenance orders. Proceedings relating to the care and control of children under the Act 1989 are also dealt with in the Family Proceedings Courts. Family and child cases are held in private.

Magistrates hear actions for owed to the gas, electricity and water authorities, non-payment of the tax and non-payment of licenses. they also have powers to grant licenses for the sale of and licenses for establishments.

The Auld review (2001) of the criminal justice system supports the continuing use of lay magistrates. It suggests that at least two lay magistrates could sit with a District Judge and deal with middle-range offences. They would have the power to sentence offenders to up to two years imprisonment. The District Judge would decide questions of law. offences before transferring them to the Crown Court.

Lay magistrates undertake various ancillary matters connected with criminal proceedings. They can issue warrants of or issue a warrant allowing the police to premises. Magistrates can also issue warrants for the of suspects at police stations and decide whether suspects are granted .

Specially trained magistrates sit in the to hear criminal charges against young offenders aged to years old. These magistrates must be under and a panel must usually include at least one and one . This court sits in and is less formal than adult courts. Magistrates may also sit in the Court with a judge where a case is on appeal from the Magistrates Court against or sentence.

Magistrates also deal with certain cases. Specially selected and trained magistrates work in the Court and deal with a wide range of matters, most of which arise from the breakdown of - eg, making orders for the residence of and contact with children, orders for protection against violence and maintenance orders. Proceedings relating to the care and control of children under the Act 1989 are also dealt with in the Family Proceedings Courts. Family and child cases are held in private.

Magistrates hear actions for owed to the gas, electricity and water authorities, non-payment of the tax and non-payment of licenses. they also have powers to grant licenses for the sale of and licenses for establishments.

The Auld review (2001) of the criminal justice system supports the continuing use of lay magistrates. It suggests that at least two lay magistrates could sit with a District Judge and deal with middle-range offences. They would have the power to sentence offenders to up to two years imprisonment. The District Judge would decide questions of law. agrees. Magistrates can subsequently choose to commit a defendant to the Crown Court for following conviction for an either way offence if they feel their sentencing powers are .

Magistrates also hear the provisional hearing of offences before transferring them to the Crown Court.

Lay magistrates undertake various ancillary matters connected with criminal proceedings. They can issue warrants of or issue a warrant allowing the police to premises. Magistrates can also issue warrants for the of suspects at police stations and decide whether suspects are granted .

Specially trained magistrates sit in the to hear criminal charges against young offenders aged to years old. These magistrates must be under and a panel must usually include at least one and one . This court sits in and is less formal than adult courts. Magistrates may also sit in the Court with a judge where a case is on appeal from the Magistrates Court against or sentence.

Magistrates also deal with certain cases. Specially selected and trained magistrates work in the Court and deal with a wide range of matters, most of which arise from the breakdown of - eg, making orders for the residence of and contact with children, orders for protection against violence and maintenance orders. Proceedings relating to the care and control of children under the Act 1989 are also dealt with in the Family Proceedings Courts. Family and child cases are held in private.

Magistrates hear actions for owed to the gas, electricity and water authorities, non-payment of the tax and non-payment of licenses. they also have powers to grant licenses for the sale of and licenses for establishments.

The Auld review (2001) of the criminal justice system supports the continuing use of lay magistrates. It suggests that at least two lay magistrates could sit with a District Judge and deal with middle-range offences. They would have the power to sentence offenders to up to two years imprisonment. The District Judge would decide questions of law.