What do magistrates usually deal with?

Magistrates are trained, unpaid members of their local community, who work part-time and deal with less serious criminal cases, such as minor theft, criminal damage, public disorder and motoring offences.

Can a non-magistrate ask a magistrate question?

One will usually be a non-magistrate who may come at matters very differently from the magistrate members. He or she will be an ordinary member of the public, just as you are, and may ask more general questions of the kind that concern ordinary people, especially in and around the town, city or rural area where you live or work.

Why did I want to become a magistrate?

I was motivated to become a magistrate after years of court reporting. I always wanted to know more about how the Bench arrived at their decisions, what were the processes involved. I also wanted to experience an area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty.

Who is the court magistrate on Sky News?

Sky News presenter Gillian Joseph is a court magistrate. Here, she talks about why it’s so rewarding, and why it’s a shame the numbers are falling:

Where do I go for my first magistrate interview?

THE MAGISTRATE FIRST INTERVIEW Although being called for a first interview is a positive and encouraging event, it must be remembered that: The interview will be held in a public building (often, but not necessarily, a courthouse) and the panel will comprise three (or, exceptionally, two) members.

Do you know anyone who is a magistrate?

Do you know anyone who is a magistrate, because it would be worth talking to them before you submit an application. You should also go and sit in the public gallery at your local courts to see what the job actually entails. I’m sure you also realise that it’s unpaid. Anyway, good luck with the application.

Who is the legal advisor for a magistrate?

Code § 19.2-42, the attorney for the Commonwealth is no longer the legal advisor for magistrates. Magistrates must be careful to preserve the neutrality of the office when interacting with an attorney for the Commonwealth or a defense attorney, as both have a vested interest in the outcome of a decision.

Is it good idea to replace judges with magistrates?

tey should scrap judges in all courts and replace them with local people with local knowledge. magistrates are a great idea in principal but they tend to be older, grumpier folk so yes go for it, they need to recruit more younger folk to positions like this.

Can a magistrate declare a conflict of interest?

If you know the defendant personally, you just declare a conflict of interests and they get another magistrate to try them. She did end up giving a fine to somebody who lived down our street, but the whole thing is so formal and de-personalised, I don’t think they realised who she was!