M1 Compare And Contrast The Role And Functions Of Judges

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M1 : Compare and contrast the role and function of judges, lawyers and lay people within the English courts. Magistrates are people who volunteer in a magistrate’s court; they have no formal legal qualifications and are part of a ‘bench’ which normally consists of 3 magistrates who listen to cases. The ‘bench’ can act as a jury if the defendant pleads not guilty and can also pass sentences. If the defendant was to plead not guilty the magistrates would simply pass a sentence. There is only one person in the magistrate’s court who is a qualified lawyer and that is the clerk of the court who advises the Magistrates on points of law. Magistrates have limited sentencing powers so refer serious situations to the Crown Court who have higher sentencing

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