im doing a level law and really could do with some of your help. hope to hear from you soon and hope it some info i can use.
thanks guys.
2006-11-21 07:27:28 · 11 answers · asked by donnamelisa 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
i work with the magistrates through my job and although a lot of decisions are often unpopular (especially around sentancing,) they are consistant which demonstrates some level of training and undertanding
2006-11-21 07:30:55 · answer #1 · answered by enigma_variation 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Oh, please, don't get me started! I am not sure what training magistrates do receive, but they are on another planet and need a reality check. There has been news recently of a DJ who became a magistrate and I think this is a far better idea, someone with some life experience who understands life from a different point of view. The majority of magistrates that I have had dealings with are middle class and have no idea what issues us "normal" people are dealing with. There should be far more magistrates who are younger and can make key decisions that make sense. The law in this country stinks anyway and needs a major overhaul by this government to bring it up to the standards of modern day and stop relying on laws that are as archaic as some of the magistrates. Hope this helps :-) and good luck with the studies
2006-11-21 07:37:31 · answer #2 · answered by 47 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They are certainly given adequate training on the job. What some of them lack is training in life itself. I can cite one case of a court in London which had to try a case in which it was of great importance to know what happened when one mounted a London bus and paid one's fare to the driver. You'd think any Londoner would know that, but not this particular bench of magistrates. They never used public transport. They didn't know what buses were like. Instead of letting them take a bus and travel with ordinary mortals, the Courts Committee hired a red line bus for them so that they could sample it and examine it at close quarters.
Just one little example, but a very telling one.
2006-11-21 09:33:57 · answer #3 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Magistrates are given training, but not in such depth as lawyers. They are not meant to be 'experts' in the law but ordinary people who have been given a bit more training in order to do this worthwhile, VOLUNTARY job, for the good of the community.
Have a look at this website for more info
http://www.magistrates-association.org.uk/
2006-11-21 09:21:44 · answer #4 · answered by Jude 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No they are not,they are usually snotty nose faced conservatives who have not lived in the real world,has they are so far shoved up there own arses.
And i dont have a criminal record,i work within the legal world and this is from experience,so there :-) Ner Ner,Na Ner NEEER
2006-11-21 07:31:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, definately not dont know where they get these people from but you've got more chance going to crown court in front of a jury of ordinary people.
2006-11-21 07:36:15 · answer #6 · answered by mazza999 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know they are snobs, but that's what comes with being untouchable! Are they trained enough, probably not. And I think they should be elected to position, not appointed.
2006-11-21 07:32:04 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. Right 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well, it depends whether they are stipendiary magistrates or not. Why not call your local mags court and ask if anyone can see you and you can find out for yourself?
2006-11-21 07:32:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Oh hell no! They are just fake judges.
2006-11-21 07:39:11 · answer #9 · answered by Zelda 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just a quick answer then....NO
2006-11-21 07:37:55 · answer #10 · answered by thesingist 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋