Get WV SCA-M207 1994-2024

A magistrate hears evidence and decides whether a person is guilty or not guilty to an offence as charged. A magistrate imposes a penalty on those who are either found guilty or plead guilty to offences. The magistrate's role in court is to ensure that justice is administered fairly and impartially.

Although most magistrates deal with criminal work, they also decide many civil matters, particularly in relation to family work. Magistrates' civil roles include dealing with cases such as non-payment of council tax.

It is believed that by using ordinary people in courts it makes the system fairer and avoids people criticising the court for making decisions behind closed doors. Lay people are mainly used in magistrates' courts and crown courts but in the past were used in the high court to deal with civil cases.

- Judicial Magistrate and Chief Judicial Magistrate are appointed by the High Court while the Governor appoints the District Magistrate. ... - Contrary to a judge, a magistrate only has limited law enforcement and administrative powers. - The judge is always an official with a law degree.

A U.S. magistrate judge is a judicial officer of the district court and is appointed by majority vote of the active district judges of the court to exercise jurisdiction over matters assigned by statute as well as those delegated by the district judges. ... A full-time magistrate judge serves a term of eight years.

It is the job of the judicial branch to apply and interpret the laws and to resolve disputes that arise under them. ... Federal and state courts may exercise only judicial powers and perform only judicial functions, and judges can decide only cases that are before them.

Courts: Courts are run by judges, whose role is to make sure the law is followed and oversee what happens in court. They decide whether to release offenders before the trial. Judges accept or reject plea agreements, oversee trials, and sentence convicted offenders.

Courts apply the law to specific controversies brought before them. They resolve disputes between people, companies and units of government. Often, courts are called on to uphold limitations on the government. They protect against abuses by all branches of government.

It is the job of the judicial branch to apply and interpret the laws and to resolve disputes that arise under them. ... Federal and state courts may exercise only judicial powers and perform only judicial functions, and judges can decide only cases that are before them.

After hearing all evidence, the magistrate decides if there is enough evidence to put you on trial. If there is not enough evidence, the magistrate dismisses the case. If there is enough evidence, the magistrate charges you. ... If you plead not guilty, you are committed for trial in the District Court or Supreme Court.

What happens if I plead guilty? Pleading guilty means that you admit you did the crime. If you plead guilty, the court will decide what should happen next, which could be a fine or a prison sentence.

A clerk magistrate hearing is where the clerk magistrate looks at the given facts and determines whether there is probable cause to issue a criminal complaint. These occur in many misdemeanor cases. If the clerk determines that there is probable cause and a complaint is issued, then you will be arraigned.

Magistrates sit as one of a bench of three, including one who sits in the centre who has been trained to take the chair. They deal with a range of criminal cases such as minor theft, criminal damage, public disorder and motoring offences. Our members also sit in youth and family courts.

The County Court deals with civil (non-criminal) matters. Unlike criminal cases in which the state prosecutes an individual civil court cases arise where an individual or a business believes their rights have been infringed.

The County Court deals with civil (non-criminal) matters. Unlike criminal cases in which the state prosecutes an individual civil court cases arise where an individual or a business believes their rights have been infringed.