Describe the Selection, Training and Role of a Lay Magistrate.
There are over thirty thousand lay magistrates in England and Wales. Lay magistrates are also known as a Justice of the Peace and try over one million criminal cases a year. Due to the importance of a lay magistrate's role in criminal jurisdiction there are selection principles for a magistrate to abide to, this is to make sure that everybody receives a fair trial. .
To be a candidate for appointment as lay magistrate you have to be nominated by one of three groups. The three groups are Political Parties, Trade Unions and Charities. For somebody to become a lay magistrate legal or academic qualifications are not necessary. Candidates do however have to be over the age of twenty-one and under the age of sixty. Although there is a wide age range for somebody to become a lay magistrate most people are usually appointed under the age of twenty-seven. Candidates should also live within fifteen miles of their Commission Area; this is an area that has a number of Magistrates Courts. Even if somebody abides with all the restrictions they may still not be able to be a lay magistrate because there are five groups of people that are forbidden to be a lay magistrate. People that may not serve as lay magistrates are:.
1. Members of the armed forces.
2. Police officers.
3. People that have been bankrupt.
4. People with serious criminal convictions.
5. Relatives of those that work in criminal justice.
People that are under any of these categories are not allowed to be lay magistrates because they could be seen as giving a biased hearing. All of these points have to be abided to for a candidate to become a lay magistrate but there are also some desirable characteristics that a magistrate should preferably have. Some examples of these are a good character, being socially aware, having a sound judgement, reliable and a good communicator, able to read complicated information and hard working.
