What power does the Magistrates Court have?

What power does the Magistrates Court have?

Magistrates have sentencing powers that allow them to impose a range of sentences, including unlimited fines, bans, community orders and up to six months’ custody for a single offence and 12 months in total.

How much does a magistrate earn in Qld?

An experienced Judge, Magistrate Judge, or Magistrate with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of AU$267,500 based on 5 salaries. In their late career (20 years and higher), employees earn an average total compensation of AU$200,000.

Which type of Offences do magistrates hear?

Magistrates are trained, unpaid members of their local community, who work part-time and deal with less serious criminal cases, such as minor theft, criminal damage, public disorder and motoring offences.

What sentence can a Magistrates Court give?

Sentences a magistrates’ court can give The court can give punishments including: up to 6 months in prison (or up to 12 months in total for more than one offence) a fine. a community sentence, like doing unpaid work in the community.

Are magistrates legally qualified?

No legal qualifications are required to become a magistrate; you will receive all the training you need. There are a small number of jobs which could prevent you from being a magistrate due to a conflict of interest, for example if you are a police officer you cannot sit in criminal courts.

How do you become a magistrate in Qld?

To become a Magistrate

1. Magistrates are usually appointed by a State or Federal Governor or Attorney-General. To be eligible, you need to have completed a law degree and have been licensed to practise law for a minimum of eight years. Find a Bachelor of Laws.
2. Registration or licencing may be required.

What are the 3 categories of offence?

There are 3 types of criminal offence:

• Summary offences.
• Either way offences.
• Indictable only offences.

What are the disadvantages of lay magistrates?

Disadvantages

• Lack legal knowledge as they haven’t really studied law in much depth as judges would have.
• Inconsistency in sentencing across the country, different areas for more or less the same offence will get different convictions and sentences.

What happens if I plead guilty at magistrates court?

If you plead guilty at the outset your case will not go to trial and you could be sentenced immediately in the magistrates’ court. For more serious offences you will have to go to the Crown Court to be sentenced. Find out more about sentencing hearings. If you plead guilty you will get a reduction in your sentence.