Magistrates/Lay people/Jury

What’s a Lay person?

Someone without a specialised knowledge of a particular area

Why are lay people used in law?

Trial by peer not establishment

Prevents trial rigging by the government

What is a magistrate?

A trained lay person

Preliminary hearings for all criminal cases

Plea before language

Bail applications

Applications for legal aid

Committals for trial to crown court for indictable offences

Mode of trial hearing

What’s plea before venue?

A hearing where the defendant pleas guilty or not

Bail applications

Asks the court to release defendant from custody while trial awaits

Applications for legal aid

Financial help to pay for legal representation