how do you know if you want to do something?

Katie-Kat-Kins

I'd love to get involved with the justice system, it really fascinates me.

At the end of the day anyone accused of a crime is entitled under law to be tried by a jury of his peers. This is one of the oldest principles of law and one of things that makes our justice system one of the best in the world, that has been copied internationally. By becoming a lay magistrate you become part of "the jury of peers" for lesser offences, charged with the duty of deciding verdicts and sentances. This is a hugely important role within society. It contributes to wider societies perception of justice, and to ensuring a fair trial for the accused as well as ensuring sentances are fair and proportionate. It really makes a huge difference to society in a clear and fundamental way.

There is a real perception that magistrates aren't a true jury of peers because people who volunteer to become magstrates generally fall into certain categories but much is being done to try and get a broader spectrum of magistrates now. I would urge anyone who is interested and feels that they are able to be fair minded and weigh evidence in their mind to consider applying, especially if they are not the typical white upper middle class middle aged types that typically apply.

Hope that helps you a bit!

deedee71

You can't be arsed to fill in the form. Bit of a no brainer......you are not committed to this.

rocketdog_2

PasturesNew wrote: »

you might not feel confident about deciding the fate of some hapless individual stood before you in a courtroom.

What, like tap them on the wrist and tell them not to do it again?!

belfastgirl23

I think you should fill in the form and send it in. Often the recruitment process is designed to help you decide whether the post is right for you as well as for them to decide whether you're right for it. At the end of the day you can always say no even if you do get it so what have you got to lose?

lynzpower

Dave101t wrote: »

go with your gut feeling, or is it fools rush in where angels fear to tread? id say less analyzing, more doing!

I would say rather the opposite.

When you work in public servcice, relection is everything. You will, quite rightly need to justify every decision you make, and have a form of emotional supervision - whats driving me to make tis decision, how can i be impartial, how can I be sure my own upbringing and predjudices dont unfairly impact on what im doing? Can I justify this, do I feel comfortable talking about this? Do I feel comfrotable with my predjudices, how do I challenge myself, how open am I to challenge from other people including managers? All public service demands this sort of introspection, and for others to question your motives/decision making and so forth.

If you cant reflect, or you might find it an "affront" then its not for you right now.

Steaming straight into something like this Id say is a massive moral undertaking. I have considered it myself actually, and I have come to the decison I just dont think I am a fair enough person and I am working on this over the life course.Maybe in 10 years or so I will be more suited to it. Public service will always be there- and there is no age limit on these sorts of roles.

I think its good to consider things well, especially where the impact of your values will potentailly affect vulnerable peoples lives.

onetomany

r how do i aplay?

Pssst

Say YES and anything is possible. Anything can happen. Say NO and nothing will happen. Which is the better prospect?

Susan_Frost

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING

If you really wanted to do it you would have felt keen and excited when you received the pack, rather than "need to start thinking of sending it off". Sounds like it filling it in would be an effort. Yes, filling in stuff usually is, but being keen usually gets you through.

Maybe you are interested, but is it just a bit the wrong time for you. As you say, they do come up each year. Why not leave it a year? See how you feel next time round. If you have thought about it lots in the next year and wished you had done it then you know it is the right thing. You wont have missed the boat, just delayed it a litte.

Dazi

Am not sure if this is answering the OP's question but...

when I was at school and it was coming up exam time, all the teachers were telling you read though what you have written then change things.

Our headmaster used to go against all this, at exam time he told us, 'first thoughts are best thoughts' although maybe I have never done that well at exams I have always remembered his words, if something comes into your head, it was there for a reason, it has worked for me in life.

So if something told you to apply, go for it.