Is anyone a Magistrate?

[Moominho]

I've always been interested in law and the courts. Recently my local magistrates court have said they are looking for volunteers to serve as magistrates. Has anyone ever done this, would anyone recommend it?

[BryanC]

A chap I know retired as a Magistrate as he felt frustrated that the scrotes didn't get what they deserved as his hands were tied.
Each to his own tho.
I am a believer in the legal system after sitting on a Crown Court jury but this was his point of view.
I can't possibly comment.

[Moominho]

Cheers, yeah I can imagine that would be really frustrating. It does interest me though, I have a lot of free time off from work at the moment so it would be nice to be able to do something that contributes to the community.

[omgus]

My mother is, and when I get to the next level up at work I will start the process, currently it would cause issues when I needed the time off for court.

If you want to do it be prepared for it to take 18months+ to get on to the bench.

[Moominho]

Thank you

[Mojooo]

You might find your hands are tied in what you can actually do.

Someone I know was a mag - they have very poor peopel skilsl and i can just see it all kicking off because of the type of person they were

i looked into it but committment was too much for me.

[meagain]

I applied four years ago to be a magistrate, went through all the interview and assesment proceedures, spent a lot of time in court observing after being accepted and was looking forward to starting the training.... But since then my area have not had a need for any new Magistrates. I am on a reserve list and may be called at some time, but feel that this is unlikely now. It seems that a lot of the old work that Magistrates did has been taken over by fixed penalty notices etc.
Its a shame really as i found the whole process really interesting if not frustrating as well..