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Has Anyone Ever Thought About Becoming a Magistrate?
M30
Posts: 936 Forum Member
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Where I live, there has been a lot of articles in the local press appealing for people to become Magistrates, especially from the borough in which I live, and they seem keen to attract people in their 20s and 30s.
I'm genuinely considering it, and I'm looking into the practicalities of it. Employers are obliged to provide time off so that Magistrates can preside over cases, but the aspect which most concerns me would be the families of the accused seeking to intimidate me etc.
The recent David Askew tragedy has reminded me that action against antisocial behavior needs to be taken.
I would be firm, but fair, but I wouldn't want bricks threw my windows, or for my cat to be crucified on my front door because I sent down a youth who caused the death of a pensioner.
Does anyone have any experience of this or had similar thoughts?
I'm genuinely considering it, and I'm looking into the practicalities of it. Employers are obliged to provide time off so that Magistrates can preside over cases, but the aspect which most concerns me would be the families of the accused seeking to intimidate me etc.
The recent David Askew tragedy has reminded me that action against antisocial behavior needs to be taken.
I would be firm, but fair, but I wouldn't want bricks threw my windows, or for my cat to be crucified on my front door because I sent down a youth who caused the death of a pensioner.
Does anyone have any experience of this or had similar thoughts?
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It hadn't occurred to me that people would seek me out to do harm if I had to give out punishments.
I also didn't know it was for people in their 20s and 30s.
Wish I'd followed it up now
That's the only reason I've not followed it up to be honest.
The Salford Advertiser, my local newspaper have the "Before the Bench" section, where they name and shame those convicted at the Magistrates court - many of these people live in close proximity to me, I've even seen the names of people on my street.
I think (rusty memory here) that they've hired a 19-year-old before and it went well. Have a look on the website - they're bound to be after more all the time. Most magistrates are on the old side and tend to drop off the perch, hence lots of recruitment.
It's not all about the courtroom either - there's a lot of paperwork involved with granting licences and whatnot.
A former colleague of mine is a magistrate - think you have to commit to a few days per year, so your employer has to be OK with that. He hasn't complained about the amount of paperwork, so maybe it's a slightly different set-up.
I very soon changed my mind.
90% of the cases up were car crimes of one sort or another, and anything that looked remotely interesting was deferred due to additional information needed to be sorted out.
It was tedious in the extreme as it was a non stop series of fines, fines and more fines.
As for sentencing, you will be restricted by firm guidelines, and wont just be able to become a hanging judge!!!
Damn! Here was me thinking I'd be able to send people down for a long stretch "take him down"
I'm sick of pontificating on things from the comfort of DS or the pub, so thought I should do something about it.
I'd much prefer to be a high court judge - but I'm not able to because I'm not a secret transvestite and I don't enjoy S&M
Elizabeth Butler-Sloss is a transvestite :eek:
Her real name is Brian
OP - I've thought of such a career as well especially back in the day where there used to be stipendiary magistrates as well (I think they're county court judges now).
Even though magistrates nowadays deal with mostly routine stuff, it's a pity that a person couldn't do this as a full/part time paid job as I personally doubt I couldn't guarantee the time for it right now whilst doing my present work and study. That was the only thing that stopped me; maybe when my studies end, I'll consider it again.