1 / 13

Magistrates' Court in Merton: Inside the UK's Judicial System

Explore the workings of Merton's Wimbledon Magistrates' Court and the role of lay magistrates. Understand the types of cases dealt with, from criminal to family proceedings, and the sentencing process. Discover how you can support and contribute to the local community as a magistrate.

rsondra
Download Presentation

Magistrates' Court in Merton: Inside the UK's Judicial System

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Magistracy in Merton Wimbledon Magistrates Court Alexandra Road London SW19 7JP

  2. Inside the magistrates’ court • Lay magistrates usually sit on a bench of three people

  3. What qualities do you need to be a magistrate? • Good character • Understanding and communication • Social awareness • Maturity and sound temperament • Sound judgement • Commitment and reliability

  4. Crown Court Magistrates Court What cases are dealt with in the magistrates’ court? • All criminal cases start out in the Magistrates court. • 95% of cases are dealt with fully in the Magistrates court • 5% of cases go to the crown court

  5. Youth Court Justice • The youth court is for 10-17 year olds and is in a less formal setting • Specially trained magistrates sit here. • Sentences aimed at changing behaviour and attitudes are issued. • Parents are often involved in the outcome

  6. The family proceedings court Specially trained magistrates sit in the family proceedings court and deal with issues arising out of family breakdown. Such as: • Protection of children • Contact • Adoption • Parental Responsibility

  7. From crime to court Crime Committed Arrest made Sent to court for plea to be taken Taken to custody suite and charged

  8. What happens next? • The defendant appears in court and pleads guilty or not guilty • If they plead guilty they will be sentenced. If they plead not guilty a trial will follow and the court will have to decide on their guilt.

  9. Sentences • Conditional discharge Fine Community sentence Prison/curfew order

  10. Sentencing intention • Punishment • Reduction in crime/ deterrence • Reform and rehabilitation • Protection of the public • Reparation • Can be all or some of these

  11. Sentencing Structure • Offence seriousness (culpability & harm) • Identify starting point • Consider aggravating & mitigating factors • Form preliminary view of appropriate sentence • Consider offender mitigation • Consider reduction for guilty plea • Consider ancillary orders(e.g.compensation) • Decide sentence & give reasons

  12. Consequences after court • Loss of job • Public shame • Criminal record • Visa and travel restrictions • Higher insurance premiums

  13. How you can help us • Spread awareness of the Magistracy • Help the local community understand what we do • Help build public confidence in the Criminal Justice System • Recruitment of new magistrates

More Related