Becoming a magistrate

[wildcat45]

It is something I have been thinking about for a while. Until now, demands of my job got in the way. Now I am freelance and running my own business/time it is something I really want to look into.

My reasons.

I have an interest in the law and criminal justice..

I want to do something outside my job that is useful.

I would like to contribute something to my community.

I hope to learn new things.

Any Mags out there care to share their thoughts please? I understand at times it can be very rewarding and often frustrating.

[Aprisa]

They also like you to be able to spell Magistrate ;-)
Yes it is both rewarding and frustrating, especially now with all the cutbacks to the Justice System. You may find this hampers your application as my bench (Birmingham) is not taking on any new JP's and this has been the case for a couple of years.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

Nick

[wildcat45]

Thanks Nick. Bloody iphone. Well that's my excuse!

Do you think its a good call to contact my local court for a chat?

I never considered cutbacks.

[triumphkryten]

I really fancy the idea of becoming a magistrate too - after 2 weeks of jury service, the whole idea of British justice fascinated me intensely, but like others, work gets in the way.

I'd like to feel I could do a decent job of it - good luck to you with your application

[jwill]

I assume you have seen the official guidance - if not you can find it at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Getti...


The application process can be a long one. If, after finding more about it, you are still interested I would advise applying as soon as possible. You can always decline or delay appointment if you change your mind.

As has already been said many areas do not need any new JPs due to the cuts but you may be lucky and get in before we are done away with altogether. Bear in mind that you may be eligible for more than one area.

[slinky]

Aprisa, how long have you been on the Birmingham bench?

[Elderly]

My neighbour has become a magistrate; it means that she now has to drive a lot slower than
is natural for her .

[CTE]

Learn to spell!

[slinky]

CTE said:

Learn to spell!

Comments have already been made, learn to read the thread..

OP, I've fixed the title for you chap..

[wildcat45]

Thanks for the advice, and the spelling correction.

I've been through most of the stuff I can find online.

So I don't just have to be a Magistrate in my local town. I could attend/serve in another town.

Called my local court earlier to get advice and to find out if they were taking new people. The guy I need to speak to wasn't in, so I will try tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on.

[Aprisa]

slinky said:

Aprisa, how long have you been on the Birmingham bench?

Nine Years, I feel very old!

[Aprisa]

wildcat45 said:

Thanks for the advice, and the spelling correction.

I've been through most of the stuff I can find online.

So I don't just have to be a Magistrate in my local town. I could attend/serve in another town.

Called my local court earlier to get advice and to find out if they were taking new people. The guy I need to speak to wasn't in, so I will try tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on.

If you are looking at serving on a bench some way from home, you will need to show a reason for not applying to your home bench such as working there or a long standing knowledge of the area. Local Justice by local Justices is often referred to, it is useful in traffic cases and some others to know the roads/clubs/shops etc and the problems.

[crmcatee]

Interesting to read this now.

I just applied at the beginning of the year having been in a similar position to the OP and never able to commit to when I'd be here or away. Now having a regular schedule I can commit to something in the community.

I know the local area is currently not seeking - but I was told to apply anyway.

Doing the observations has been interesting - although the Thursday in Court 1 in my local court is fairly boring - it's all scheduling, much better to go into Court 2 and observe. In fact if I've got a spare afternoon or morning I'll pop in to catch whats going on and am constantly amazed at how many of those up in court know off by heart their National Insurance Number - admittingly most of them also seem to be living off benefits from where their fine is deducted on a reduced rate.


A good insight to it Magistrates Blog

[slinky]

Aprisa said:

slinky said:

Aprisa, how long have you been on the Birmingham bench?

Nine Years, I feel very old!

My Ma has been on the bench for 14 years now, originally Birmingham (hence my question), then moved to Worcester bench about 11 years ago.. She finds it very fulfilling, but has the same experiences as you..

[Aprisa]

slinky said:

My Ma has been on the bench for 14 years now, originally Birmingham (hence my question), then moved to Worcester bench about 11 years ago.. She finds it very fulfilling, but has the same experiences as you..

Seems to be across the board, Blogs and forums have even penetrated the ancient order of JP's so we see the reaction of others. Birmingham is a great Bench as it is so varied, contrary to popular belief most of us are pretty normal reasonable people that try to be as fair as possible, I bet your Mom misses Birmingham when she is dealing with the sheep rustlers of rural Worcs! ( I live in Worcs too) Nick

[slinky]

A combination of adult, youth and DRR has kept her interest in, she's a chair now too..

[DSM2]

wildcat45 said:

It is something I have been thinking about for a while. Until now, demands of my job got in the way. Now I am freelance and running my own business/time it is something I really want to look into.

My reasons.

I have an interest in the law and criminal justice..

I want to do something outside my job that is useful.

I would like to contribute something to my community.

I hope to learn new things.

Any Mags out there care to share their thoughts please? I understand at times it can be very rewarding and often frustrating.

But just why do you think you are qualified to involve yourself in the Courts?

IMO anyone who WANTS to be a JP should be barred from doing the job.

[andy_s]

DSM2 said:

But just why do you think you are qualified to involve yourself in the Courts?

IMO anyone who WANTS to be a JP should be barred from doing the job.

You can't start applying that sort of logic otherwise there'd be no MPs...

[jwill]

DSM2 said:

IMO anyone who WANTS to be a JP should be barred from doing the job.

This is a serious question as I am involved with the selection of new JPs. How do you suggest dealing with appointments for any position which gives power over others? Not only JPs but police, health care professionals and teachers for example.

[jwill]

Aprisa said:

If you are looking at serving on a bench some way from home, you will need to show a reason for not applying to your home bench such as working there or a long standing knowledge of the area. Local Justice by local Justices is often referred to, it is useful in traffic cases and some others to know the roads/clubs/shops etc and the problems.

Agree completely. In my case I work 20 miles from home, but home and work are in two different counties. I tend to do all shopping and most socialising in the town I work in rather than the town I live in, so I applied to the court closest to work. The first interview did include a lot of questions clearly intended to find out just how much I knew about the area.