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/

END OF DAYS FOR MAGISTRATES?

 

02. Feb. 2010. – 12:41:38

In February 2005 Magistrates' Courts lost the power to deal with liquor licenses ie pubs, clubs, restaurants opening hours, suitability of licensees etc. The power was given to local authorities with Magistrates' Courts acting as Courts of Appeal.

Since then this government against most of the advice it received proceeded to implement its plan to turn England & Wales into the "cafe society" common on the continent where most people including teenagers can drink in bars and restaurants almost around the clock without the displays of drunken anarchy found on our streets from Andover to Yarmouth and including most towns in between.

Since then all the disease trends amongst heavy drinkers have escalated. Binge drinking, liver disease, drunkenness associated with criminality have appeared to be on the increase.

The Magistrates' Court, a local institution for 650 years, is being eroded. The result of removing its powers as described above and allowing a single District Judge to officiate at trials and high profile cases eg Pete Doherty last week, is a signal that our days might be numbered.

Think about it.....if you were on trial would you prefer three local people to decide your case and if proved to sentence you or that a single Judge performing as judge and jury took over both these functions?

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