This blog is now in session.
Today I witnessed the Swearing in of seven new Magistrates at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. Conducted by the Recorder of Cardiff HHJ Tracey Lloyd Clarke, together with the Lord Lieutenant Prof Peter Vaughan and The Chair of the Mid-Wales Local Justice Area Mrs Gayle Evans JP.
Justices of the Peace [JPs] are the successors to the original knights commissioned in 1195 by Richard I ("Lionheart"), to uphold the law and keep the "King's Peace." It seems the king forgot about everyone else!
This ancient office is as relevant today as it was when first established. Despite handling over 95% of the criminal cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Incredibly the role of Magistrate is unpaid and purely voluntarily.
It is an extremely responsible role and a stringent training regime has to completed for a role which is surely the backbone of our Judicial system. Magistrates can hand down specific punishments, such as fines, unpaid community work, imprisonment of up to twelve months and bans, such as from keeping animals. They can also give a combination of several penalties.
While Magistrates have legal advisers present and work in threes, it is still a position only a small percentage of our population choose to take up but effectively undertake.
Congratulations to everyone sworn in today at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. Llongyfarchiadau!