Role of the Magistrates

• What percentage of criminal cases do Magistrates deal with?


  97%
• What types of hearings do magistrates undertake?


  Early admin hearings, bail hearings, and remand hearings
• What do magistrates consider during bail and remand hearings?


  The seriousness of the offence
• What is the purpose of committal hearings in the Magistrates Court?

  To determine if an offence is too serious to be heard in the Magistrates Court, even indictable offences start here in the Magistrates court.
• What do magistrates ask the defendant before the venue is set?

  For a plea
• What is the purpose of mode of trial hearings?

  To determine the appropriate court for the trial
• What additional training may magistrates undergo?

  Further training to deal with youth cases
• What types of appeals do magistrates hear?

  Appeals to the Crown Court
• What powers do magistrates have regarding search and arrest warrants?


  They can issue search and arrest warrants
• What can magistrates grant to police officers regarding custody?

  Extensions of police custody
• Magistrates hear all summary and less serious TEW hearings all the way through and can even undertake special training to deal with young offender cases (10-17).