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The Criminal Courts and Sentencing

The Magistrates' Court and Its Jurisdiction

  • 4 things to know
  • All three papers

Overview

Recall questions on who magistrates are, how many sit, who advises them and what happens when an indictable offence reaches them.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Key term

What is the employment status of magistrates, and where do they hear criminal cases?

Key term

What happens when an indictable offence comes before the Magistrates' Court?

Key term

Besides fines, what other non-custodial sentences can magistrates impose?

Process

How many magistrates sit, who advises them, and what do they decide?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is the employment status of magistrates, and where do they hear criminal cases?

    Model answer

    Magistrates are unpaid, part-time volunteers who sit in the Magistrates' Court to hear criminal cases.

  2. 2

    How many magistrates typically sit together to hear a case, and who assists them?

    Model answer

    Magistrates usually sit as a bench of three, assisted by a legally qualified legal adviser who guides them on law and procedure.

  3. 3

    Which categories of offences do magistrates have jurisdiction to try?

    Model answer

    Magistrates try all summary offences and most either-way offences where the defendant consents to magistrates' court trial.

  4. 4

    What happens when an indictable offence comes before the Magistrates' Court?

    Model answer

    Magistrates conduct preliminary hearings for indictable offences before sending them to the Crown Court for trial.

  5. 5

    In cases they try, what two decisions do magistrates make?

    Model answer

    Magistrates determine both the verdict (guilty or not guilty) and the sentence.

  6. 6

    What is the maximum custodial sentence magistrates can impose when sentencing for two or more either-way offences?

    Model answer

    Twelve months' custody.

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