Lay people

Question 1

What are lay magistrates

Answer 1

Unpaid, part-time judges who have no legal qualifications

Question 2

How are lay magistrates appointed

Answer 2

Live within 15 miles of commission area for court
Can’t have serious criminal conviction, be member of armed forces, or police/traffic officers
Approved by local advisory committee via two stage interview process

Question 3

Role and powers of lay magistrates

Answer 3

Preliminary hearings for all cases, all summary and some triable-either-way
Youth Court and Family Court
Sentences up to 6 months, community orders, fines

Question 4

Role of juries in criminal trials

Answer 4

Come to verdicts (must be majority)
Hear evidence in court

Question 5

Who cant be a jury member

Answer 5

18-75 registered voters can. Some who cant is:
Imprisonment for life or for public protection
Extended sentences, or 5 years+
(10 years for any imprisonment, suspended sentence or community order)
Mental handicap w/ regular treatment or hospital residency
Discretionary excusal for doctors, members of armed forces etc.
Deaf or can’t understand English

Question 6

Advantages of juries

Answer 6

Public Confidence
Jury equity and
impartiality
Open system of justice
Secrecy

Question 7

Disadvantages of juries

Answer 7

Perverse decisions
Secrecy
Racial/ social bias
Jury tampering