roles & powers

• Which cases do magistrates deal with?

  All summary cases and all triable-either-way offences where the defendant chooses to be tried in the Magistrate's Court. These categories account for around 94% of cases.
• Other than summary / triable-either-way cases, what else do magistrates deal with?

  The preliminary work in all of these cases including early administrative hearing and bail applications.
• What is the magistrate's job where the defendant pleads not guilty?

  They will hold a trial and decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
• What is the magistrate's job where the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty?

  The magistrate decides on the sentence.
• What sentencing powers do magistrates have in regards to imprisonment specifically?

  They have the power to imprison an offender for six months for one offence or twelve months for two offences.
• Other than imprisonment, what other sentencing powers do magistrates have?

  • Making community orders
  • Fining
  • Ordering conditional or absolute discharges
  • Disqualifying a defendant from driving
• What is a magistrate's role in indictable offences?

  They deal with the first hearing but then transfer these to the Crown court for trial.
• What is a magistrate's role in Youth Court?

  Specially nominated and trained justices from the Youth Court panel hear criminal charges against young offenders aged 10-17 years old; there must be one man and one woman.
• What is a magistrate's role in Family Court?

  Specially trained justices sit here to hear cases on family issues e.g. maintenance and custody
• What is a magistrate's role in appeals?

  They sit at the Crown Court to hear appeals from Magistrate's Court. In these cases, two magistrates form a panel with a qualified judge.