What key roles do citizens play within the criminal justice system?
I can explain the impact that citizens have on the justice system when they become a magistrate, JP or member of a jury.
What key roles do citizens play within the criminal justice system?
I can explain the impact that citizens have on the justice system when they become a magistrate, JP or member of a jury.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- A jury of 12 citizens decides crown court trial outcomes based on evidence.
- Juries ensure fair verdicts and uphold justice by peers.
- Magistrates and JPs handle summary cases in magistrate courts ensuring efficiency and easing higher court burdens.
- Juries, magistrates and JPs let citizens contribute to justice in their community as a part of civic responsibility.
Keywords
Jury - a group of local people who are chosen randomly to make a decision in a legal case
Justice - fairness as a result of the application of a law, usually by a judge, in society
Magistrate orJP - ordinary people handling minor cases or preliminary hearings in magistrates courts, ensuring justice in criminal, family, and youth cases
Common misconception
That magistrates or JPs have a legal background and carry out the role in a paid capacity like crown court judges.
Magistrates and JPs carry out the role on a volunteer basis as part of their civic responsibility.
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: What key roles do citizens play within the criminal justice system?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: What key roles do citizens play within the criminal justice system?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How can we play a part in the legal system? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
magistrate court
crown court
employment dispute hearing