I have worked for some time as a meer Baldrick and observed the criminal justice system in the process and have seen some decisiones that are out of this world.
2007-07-17 08:59:42 · 8 answers · asked by D W 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Oh yes indeed! and they shouldn't hand their usher dry cleaning tickets 'to go and pick up at lunchtime' during a trial - well at anytime really!
I've seen many, many 'out of this world decisons' and heard some outlandish requests from magistrates, including one (we called her the hanging magistrate - because she would have if she could!) who insisted on a dentist - to age a boy, charged with adults who was pretending to be a deaf mute!
My clerk said 'ma'am, he isn't a horse' scurried off to find a precedent - couldn't, so the dentist was duly called for, he came to the conclusion that the boy was 11, how handy, over the age for criminal responsibility! What a day that was after all the coming and going and trying to ascertain who were the boys parents - as all the adults denied he was theirs, I got home at 7.45!
They gave the whole lot of them bail - this was aggravated theft, of a caravan, they'd pulled the car over on the M-way and at knifepoint taken the caravan, the boy was driving! Needless to say we never saw hide nor hair of them again!
They do NOT live in the real world, well not mine anyway!
2007-07-18 07:16:48 · answer #1 · answered by groovymaude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think most magistrates have a pretty good idea of what is what in life. They come from all walks but maybe there is a need to get away from the Trade Union Official Headmaster and academic reputation. A magistrate needs to have their employers agreement to serve and as it will take them away from their jobs. A large employer can cope with this but a small one can not as a consequence it is not easy to fulfil any training which I understand is given before they are let loose on the unsuspecting public. It is inevitable that some decisions in summary justice are wrong. That is what the Higher Courts are for. I might add it is no good knowing someone has committed an offence it has to be proved. sentencing is taken out of magistrates hands by the gov.
To conclude we must never regard the system as beyond improvement but at the same time care must be taken not to amend or update for the sake of being mo den. We all suffer from ill considered changes both in government and at work i
2007-07-17 09:28:30 · answer #2 · answered by Scouse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most outlandish decision I saw in a Magistrates Court occurred some 12 years ago when as a prison officer I was awaiting my case to come on and a young man was brought before the court for none payment of a fine and breach of a community service order.
The magistrate gave him (rightly so) an extra 50 hours to do...but and heres the daft bit...he then fined him a further £50 ontop of a fine he couldn't afford to pay because he was unemployed...ermmmm...hello?
Magistrates are recruited from the general public, and a lot of them are local business people and professionals. They get training to be a Magistrate and are always guided by a legally trained hand in their court...but as for them being trained in real life...I think most are aware...but perhaps they wear the blindness of justice a tad too tight!
2007-07-17 09:14:28 · answer #3 · answered by lippz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magistrates are just ordinary people who apply to the Courts for the position. It is unpaid and the magistrates have no legal background. They are guided on the law by the Clerk of the Court.
They have strict guidelines as to how they are to sentence different cases - and no two cases are alike just as no two people are alike.
I have never seen or heard a Magistrate give out a decision that was 'out of this world' - and they would not be able to. They are answerable to the Crown and the Lord Chancellor keeps a strict eye out for outlandish sentences.
2007-07-17 10:26:03 · answer #4 · answered by SPIDERNAN 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree. They should be forced to do work experience in a prison to include spending a few days locked up. They might then think when considering sentencing.
2007-07-17 09:49:39 · answer #5 · answered by James Mack 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes i think they should, as some results are a total joke,keep safe all the best
2007-07-17 14:08:46 · answer #6 · answered by sarah1962 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
who would teach it, the moment you crystalise it and make it something teavhable, then you have lost the point
2007-07-18 07:14:03 · answer #7 · answered by the mofo 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes indeed
2007-07-17 11:17:45 · answer #8 · answered by emenem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋