Do you or do you aspire to hold any ceremonial roles?

[Cid]

But surely the question is would paid magistrates be any more or less representative?

No, though it depends whether you're making the comparison with a paid judge, or with a jury trial. We do use paid magistrates, they're called District Judges. The thing is that their legal training will offset their lack of diversity somewhat... They will have done a law degree, qualified as an advocate (barrister or some types of solictor), and spent x years (I think at least 5) practicing as an advocate in court. And they will probably have spent time as a deputy DJ.

I have a law degree, and the thing that it taught me is that I know fuck all about any specific area of law. Magistrates receive very little training, and yet are expected to decide cases that will change someone's life... They're very restricted in their ability to hand down sentences of course, but any criminal conviction, any jail time is potentially life-changing. That's something that's often hard for someone in the position to be a mags to appreciate.

There are also problems with recruitment practices and committees, I think this was mentioned in a report a few years ago. It can lead to something of a postcode lottery in how justice is administered. I need to review the situation in general tbh, but I don't really have any desire to continue with law stuff, and it's always a rabbit hole.

That said I'm not sure I'd dissuade you from trying to become one... Though there are many on urban who I would not say that about. I'd just say try and do as much training and research as is available to you.

 

[Athos]

Also, you've got to be suspicious about someone who seeks out an opportunity to judge others for nothing except the satisfaction of doing so.

 

[Epona]

No, though it depends whether you're making the comparison with a paid judge, or with a jury trial. We do use paid magistrates, they're called District Judges. The thing is that their legal training will offset their lack of diversity somewhat... They will have done a law degree, qualified as an advocate (barrister or some types of solictor), and spent x years (I think at least 5) practicing as an advocate in court. And they will probably have spent time as a deputy DJ.

I have a law degree, and the thing that it taught me is that I know fuck all about any specific area of law. Magistrates receive very little training, and yet are expected to decide cases that will change someone's life... They're very restricted in their ability to hand down sentences of course, but any criminal conviction, any jail time is potentially life-changing. That's something that's often hard for someone in the position to be a mags to appreciate.

There are also problems with recruitment practices and committees, I think this was mentioned in a report a few years ago. It can lead to something of a postcode lottery in how justice is administered. I need to review the situation in general tbh, but I don't really have any desire to continue with law stuff, and it's always a rabbit hole.

That said I'm not sure I'd dissuade you from trying to become one... Though there are many on urban who I would not say that about. I'd just say try and do as much training and research as is available to you.

Re: the bolded bit, in what universe has this ever happened?

 

[Edie]

No, though it depends whether you're making the comparison with a paid judge, or with a jury trial. We do use paid magistrates, they're called District Judges. The thing is that their legal training will offset their lack of diversity somewhat... They will have done a law degree, qualified as an advocate (barrister or some types of solictor), and spent x years (I think at least 5) practicing as an advocate in court. And they will probably have spent time as a deputy DJ.

I have a law degree, and the thing that it taught me is that I know fuck all about any specific area of law. Magistrates receive very little training, and yet are expected to decide cases that will change someone's life... They're very restricted in their ability to hand down sentences of course, but any criminal conviction, any jail time is potentially life-changing. That's something that's often hard for someone in the position to be a mags to appreciate.

There are also problems with recruitment practices and committees, I think this was mentioned in a report a few years ago. It can lead to something of a postcode lottery in how justice is administered. I need to review the situation in general tbh, but I don't really have any desire to continue with law stuff, and it's always a rabbit hole.

That said I'm not sure I'd dissuade you from trying to become one... Though there are many on urban who I would not say that about. I'd just say try and do as much training and research as is available to you.

Me????! Bloody hell no way!

 

[Cid]

Re: the bolded bit, in what universe has this ever happened?

It's comparative. They've spent at least 5 years dealing with the same kind of people as clients, have probably experienced the shittiness that operates in the legal aid system, are used to how shit the prison system is at preventing recidivism. And actually know the law, and recommendations on reducing prison sentences. Obviously it's not universal. But the comparison is with a bunch of over 50s who decided that the best way to spend their spare time was sentencing people.

 

[Sue]

Me????! Bloody hell no way!

Why not?

 

[Edie]

Why not?

I’m not good enough

 

[Cid]

I’m not good enough

You'd be a fuck of a lot better than the rest of them.

 

[Sue]

I’m not good enough

Bollocks! You're smart, sensible and have life experience.

 

[SpookyFrank]

I used to work with someone who was a magistrate (female and under 40 so pretty unusual I think. Also smart and kind and sensible). Sure they could do with more people like her

Nobody who wants that job should be allowed to do it.

 

[Chilli.s]

no

 

[Poot]

.

 

[moomoo]

I’m the queen of a tiny bit of land. I have 8 loyal subjects and a royal hound.

I don’t bother with the ceremonial robes though. Shorts and a t shirt are far more practical for a modern queen.

 

[Aladdin]

I'd like to be a mod for a day.
And ban the fool who keeps going on about the berryband.

 

[rubbershoes]

I'd like to be a mod for a day.
And ban the fool who keeps going on about the berryband.

You mean 60s prog rockers The Strawbs?

 

[Aladdin]

You mean 60s prog rockers The Strawbs?

No I mean the ones who cant be named.

 

[ElizabethofYork]

I’m not good enough

I think you'd be brilliant.

 

[dessiato]

I think you'd be brilliant.

So do I.

Edie you have sympathy and empathy, you have a phenomenal amount of life experience and levelheaded-ness. If I were to come before the magistrates I’d like it to be someone like you on the bench.