Created by Robert Watson(Coventry Telegraph, 2014)

Do you possess a good level of these qualities?

Your NOT…

A Police Officer

A member of the armed forces

Suffering from mental health issues

Have never…

Had any convictions for any serious offences or several minor offences

Been declared bankrupt

Have you ever wanted to…

Are you…

Wanting to develop your skills

If so…You can be a vital part of our justice system..

As a lay magistrate you can make a difference in your community.

Your role as a lay magistrate will be to participate as part of a bench to hear criminal cases brought forward by the Crown Prosecution Services (CPS). It is up to the magistrates on the bench to decide what is fact and what isn’t, who’s guilty or who’s innocent as well as what punishment one should receive for the crime they have committed.

A bench is a group of either two or three lay magistrates.

As a lay magistrate you will hear a variety of minor cases, such as:

Petty theft

Minor driving offences

Alcohol related incidents

Burglary

And, anti-social behaviour

• The job as a lay magistrate is a voluntary position.

• You will be required to work at least 26 half-days a year.

• You employer, by law has to provide you with enough time off to carry out your duties as a lay magistrate.

• You can claim back any expenses, such as:o Travel expenses, o And, night subsistenceo Loss of earnings,

You don’t need any legal training or even any formal qualifications

Once successful you will be given all the training needed for your role as a lay magistrate.

Also the bench that you will sit on once a magistrate, will be supported by a court clerk who will be legally trained and able to give you advice on matters off law, practice and procedure.

Take a minute to decide……… which one will you be?

(No Author, 2014)

So if you have made the right decision,

To make a positive difference to your community,

As well as developing your personal skills,

Then just click here and follow the steps to apply.

Bibliography:

Coventry Telegraph, (2014). A picture of the sign outside Coventry Magistrates Court. [image] Available at: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-magistrates-court-parking-outside-8140521 [Accessed 23 Nov. 2014].

No Author, (2014). Example layout of magistrates court. [image] Available at: http://www.michellehenry.fr/courtroom2.jpg [Accessed 23 Nov. 2014].