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useful
contacts
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There must be at least two (ideally one male and one female) but there are usually three.
Their duty is to make decisions in a fair way and to speak to people in the court using simple and clear language.
Only the chairman will normally speak but all three magistrates have equal rights in decision-making.
Only magistrates who have been specially trained can sit in a youth court.
Legal Advisor
- Legally qualified.
- Assists defendants who do not have legal advisers by explaining what happens
step by step.
- Puts the charges to the defendant.
- Advises the magistrates on the law and procedure when necessary.
- Keeps a record of the proceedings.
Prosecution
The prosecution represents different organisation that have to give
the facts to the magistrate to prove that the person broke the law. Most
cases are handled by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The CPS presents the prosecution case and makes requests for costs
and compensation.
Defence
Someone who has qualifications in law and represents
the child in the case, not the parent.
Youth Offender Team (YOT)
A team of professionals who deal with young people and who organise
programmes that try to change their offending behaviour.
This will include talking to, and sometimes meeting with, victims as well
as the families of offenders.
Parent/responsible adult
Until a child is 18 years old, a parent or guardian is responsible
for all aspects of a child's needs and is held responsible for all
their actions.
The Court Usher:
- often wears a black coat so that people can find them easily
- checks the arrival of people at court
- shows people in and out of the court
- gives people information about which court they should be in
- calls the witnesses
- generally keeps things running smoothly
A good usher checks a witness' name and religion so that they can swear an oath
on their Holy Book.
They also help a court run very efficiently and calm people down who are angry,
worried or impatient, or often all three!
Youth Courts
Courts are not always absolutely the same but usually the lay out of the court
is something like this. Youth courts are similar to adult courts but everyone
speaks in simpler language so that everyone can understand. There are other
people in the youth court as you can see.
Place your mouse over any part of the diagram for more information.
The
Courts
Magistrates'
Courts
Youth Courts
Family Courts
Court Structure