Justice Of The Peace
CurrentMagistrates are unpaid volunteers who hear cases in courts in their community.All criminal cases begin in a magistrates’ court. Magistrates grant bail, remand people in custody and issue warrants. Magistrates deal with minor crimes and can give punishments, including fines and prison sentences. Family Magistrates deal with a variety of cases relating to children, child protection, family breakdown and other related issues. Cases heard by magistrates in the Family Court concerning children are either matters of public law or private law. Magistrates also hear some civil cases