Magistrates' Courts in England and Wales hear about 95% of all criminal cases. They deal with summary offences (less serious crimes such as motoring offences and minor assaults) and the early stages of more serious "either-way" and indictable cases. Most cases are decided by a panel of three lay magistrates — Justices of the Peace (JPs) — who are unpaid volunteers without a legal qualification, advised by a legal clerk. A salaried District Judge can sit alone.
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Magistrates can impose fines, community sentences and prison sentences of up to 12 months. More serious cases are sent to the Crown Court for trial or sentence. Magistrates also handle most cases in the Family Court and the Youth Court.
You may be asked who hears most criminal cases (magistrates), or what JP stands for (Justice of the Peace).
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