Magistrate - Anyone done this?
Tygermoth
Posts: 1,413 Forumite
I am looking into being a Magistrate (not family court). My work has agreed to cover my volunteering commitments and i have sat in court for a couple of days.
How did you find the role? did they push to get you to take more days or sit more sessions? How long was the training? how did your rotas get worked out? What was the best bit? What was the worst? Did you have any issues claiming your expenses or was it frowned on? How intense was the interviews?
Any advice would be gratefully received!
How did you find the role? did they push to get you to take more days or sit more sessions? How long was the training? how did your rotas get worked out? What was the best bit? What was the worst? Did you have any issues claiming your expenses or was it frowned on? How intense was the interviews?
Any advice would be gratefully received!
Please note I have a cognitive disability - as such my wording can be a bit off, muddled, misspelt or in some cases i can miss out some words totally...
0
Comments
-
As a magistrate you are required to pass judgement on criminals so your cognitive disability would be a disadvantage particularly as you miss out words. Being articulate and precise is an essential requirement.
Have you discussed this with the magistrates court?0 -
As a winger- I won't be speaking to the public.
I will never be a chairman, so i don't have to be articulate in court to the any of the parties attending only conferring among the magistrates themselves.
I can read and take information in very well. I am a very good communicator, more so in discussion than writing - I have had many years to help me work around the issue. My main problem will be entering and leaving to confer (coordination issues)I would hate it if I fell - they have advised they are able to make concessions for disability. For example there are blind magistrates.
I have noted a disability on my application (its just a check box) though i am a little concerned as the guidance handbook states specifically they will not ask questions regarding your disability at interview.Please note I have a cognitive disability - as such my wording can be a bit off, muddled, misspelt or in some cases i can miss out some words totally...0 -
Can your wording be a bit muddled and "off" when you're communicating verbally as well as in writing? If so I imagine that would be a problem.
Edit to add: My Dad's wife's a magistrate so whatever happens they'll always be one that's worse than you.0 -
No advice, but I wanted to wish you all the best for this. I looked into it a couple of years ago, spent a full day at court; but then littl'un's educational needs started taking up more of my time, and it just wasn't the right moment Now that they've started taking magistrates in family court, I might reconsider in the next couple of years.:heartpuls Mrs Marleyboy :heartpuls
MSE: many of the benefits of a helpful family, without disadvantages like having to compete for the tv remote
Proud Parents to an Aut-some son0 -
Anyone who wants to do it probably shouldn't.0
-
ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »Anyone who wants to do it probably shouldn't.
I tend to agree with this.
Also, if I had the misfortune to end up as a defendant at a magistrates court I'm not sure I would be happy to have a mag with a "cognitive disability."
Sorry if that sounds harsh but If you found against me, I'd be appealing on the grounds of your cognitive disability and I hadn't had a fair trial.
OP - do you mean "cognitive" (which I would construe as being about understanding what's going on) or do you mean something like dyslexia. I would not want someone with a cognitive disability standing judgement over me in a court. Sorry - that's daft.
EDIT: Your signature says you sometimes miss out words - so what if you want to say "not guilty" but miss out the "not" bit?0 -
So, there is a little misunderstanding here. I have a neurological disorder that can cause significant co-ordination issues some times that can affect my speech - momentarily. It does not affect my cognitive function overall.
I can miss out word when writing and in conversation - with a very short delay. Also, as mentioned before, i will not be speaking in court. There are three magistrates two wingers and the chair. The chair does all the speaking i will never be a chair.
My day to day work is conflict resolution (with very very angry people both in writing and over the phone) - so I am able to demonstrate that I can take on case details, process the outcome and render a decision in a short amount of time - whilst communicating the outcome to both affected parties - quite successfully.
I am perfectly able to process information and relay my opinion of the facts presented.
But gladly, that will be for the interview panel to decide.
Thank you for the PMs they were very helpful.Please note I have a cognitive disability - as such my wording can be a bit off, muddled, misspelt or in some cases i can miss out some words totally...0 -
I would not be happy either as a defendant or as a fellow magistrate that your ability to express yourself is impaired in any way whatsoever.
If you'll never be able to speak as the chair then you are a passenger. If you are misunderstood, even momentarily, then someone innocent could be convicted.
For the record, I spent a great deal of my career working with and being an advocate for people with disabilities. I think I have a fairly open mind and am not biased against you nor anyone and know all about making provision for disabilities to enable everyone to fulfil their potential.
One of my friends is chairman of a Bench and another was a JP for many years so again I have insights.0 -
Loanranger wrote: »I would not be happy either as a defendant or as a fellow magistrate that your ability to express yourself is impaired in any way whatsoever.
If you'll never be able to speak as the chair then you are a passenger. If you are misunderstood, even momentarily, then someone innocent could be convicted.
For the record, I spent a great deal of my career working with and being an advocate for people with disabilities. I think I have a fairly open mind and am not biased against you nor anyone and know all about making provision for disabilities to enable everyone to fulfil their potential.
One of my friends is chairman of a Bench and another was a JP for many years so again I have insights.
That is what would worry me as well. The bench have a discussion, the chair says OK, we are agreed, and then one says (after a short time delay) "oh, I missed the word not out".0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 343.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 449.6K Spending & Discounts
- 235.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 607.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 173K Life & Family
- 247.8K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards