Kirkby Times has given criticism to local magistrates, often we read about cases where it seems magistrates have given a slap on the wrist when the offence was fairly serious. Some may believe that magistrates are often not from the communities which they supposedly serve. How many magistrates have been victims of crime or live in areas where anti social behaviour is the norm? Maybe if more of these people came from Northwood Southdene, Westvale or Tower Hill then we may begin to see some kind of community Justice. With more local magistrates it would mean that offenders will be judged by the local community. Were those magistrates to be part of the community and to be answerable to the community, it would be a step in the right direction.

Kirkby Times appeals for local people to consider applying to become a magistrate. Not everyone's going to be able to do the job, but there is little doubt from the correspondence this website receives that there are many people who would be suited to this job. Bear in mind that changes will be made in the years to come and hopefully schemes such as the "restorative justice" schemes will allow for a community to shape the way in which offenders are dealt with. Sometimes a magistrate has got to throw the book at offenders though - there are some nasty people out there and hopefully we may see a new generation of Working Class magistrates who won't have the wool pulled over there eyes when they sentence the real criminals.

Below is an appeal, already in the public arena, which gives details of how to apply to be a magistrate. Good luck!

YOU COULD BE A MAGISTRATE

The Advisory Committees in Merseyside are continuing to recruit Magistrates to serve the community. Anyone aged between 27 and 65 with good character, common sense and sound judgement could be a Magistrate. In Merseyside the courts need up to 1300 people who can give a minimum of 26 half-day sittings per year to this vital public service. Approximately 95% of all criminal cases are dealt with in the Magistrates' court, yet there is still a perception amongst some people that Magistrates must be middle aged, middle class and white. This is not the case.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's Local Advisory Committees (the body which recommends candidates for appointment as Magistrates) is looking for people with integrity, social awareness and skills in understanding and communication, from all sections of the community to appoint to the bench. Advisory Committees are, however, hoping to receive more applications from people living in under represented wards. In Knowsley for example there is a shortage of volunteers from all of the Local Government Wards.

The Knowsley Advisory Committee are also currently under-represented on the bench in the age brackets 27 - 50. Anyone interested in becoming a Magistrate and lives or works within 15 miles of the court boundary should contact the Deputy Secretaries to the Advisory Committees -

Mrs Debbie McLaughlin - Knowsley and St Helens - 01744 627245

Mrs Clare Beech - Liverpool - 0151 243 5667

Mrs Anne Kay - North and South Sefton - 0151 285 6212

Mrs Liz Killion - Wirral - 0151 666 4143