I retired from the magistracy in 2015 after 17 years mainly as a presiding justice

United Kingdom
My current blog can be accessed at https://thejusticeofthepeaceblog.blogspot.com/

BLOWING A TRUMPET FOR MAGISTRATES

 

19. Jan. 2010. – 12:42:26

The higher the public profile and the greater the responsibility the more an individual has to jump the hurdles of appropriate and honest behaviour. Indeed in an open society under the rule of law many if not most people can reach those standards whatever their level of wealth or education. When the scandal of M.P.`s allowances became public last May most of us were more than just angry; we were dismayed that those in whom we put our trust had betrayed us and that trust. That is why the penalties in many professions eg teaching, law, medicine...up to and including prohibitions on ever working in one`s profession ever again are in place.

In 2008 1,899 new magistrates were appointed after a ruthless investigation into each applicant`s abilities and background. In the last twelve months 17 magistrates were relieved of their positions for behaviour including theft, misrepresentation, perjury, use of racist language amongst other reasons. These raw figures seem to indicate that considering the total number of JPs is around 30,000 the public can have reasonable confidence that the people on the bench are an honest respectable lot doing their best for society and taking no salary only real valid audited expenses for their efforts

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