Magistrates Courts
Yesterday I noticed some interesting things at the local Magistrates Court.
I saw a few people who actually looked apprehensive as they walked into the building. Now given that most of the Courts 'customers' are regular (or should that be valued customers) and show mainly only displeasure at what they see as the Courts 'taking the p***' these worried few stood out somewhat. Upon enquiry it turns out that one was in Court for a CSA matter and the others had fallen behind with their Council Tax payments.
Note: They had reason to looked worried because the Council involved have a story about how they had a member of the public arrested and taken to the Civic Centre for questioning recently!
Contrasting nicely with the worried looking folk were a particularly unpleasant bunch who were making so much noise (whilst at the same time telling the Bench that they needed to speak up) that both the prosecution and defence asked the Bench if the could be removed from the Court room. Incredibly the Bench had to retire for at least ten minutes to decide what they dare say to these four men in the public gallery.
In came the Bench and they told the Usher to ask the men in question if they would like to return to the Court room, a request they declined being as these men were not the type to do something unless they actually wanted to do it.
The Bench was told of the refusal and The Chair suddenly looked like she meant business,
'The men outside will not be allowed to return to this Courtroom, nor will they contact anyone connected to this case, any attempt will be viewed as Contenpt of Court'.
But of course the people who she was talking to were absent.
'Security, please tell the men what has been decided'
Of course these men did not listen, they did not care and asked the question how anyone would know if they contacted any of the witnesses?
They told security that they were going nowhere and that they should 'go away and mind their own business'
One of the men had driven at least one 'secure' witness to Court that morning, so I wonder how he managed to avoid being in contempt or if he even tried?
I was left thinking that the White upper middle class pensioners who made up the bench were about as unimpressive to these beligerant young black men as it was possible to be. They either chose to appear weak or they were unable to take any other course of action.
Unless you, like the people who had fallen behind with their Council Tax you actually care about going to Court, the Mags are like a toothless tiger.
Instead of automatic doors they should fit revolving ones.
I saw a few people who actually looked apprehensive as they walked into the building. Now given that most of the Courts 'customers' are regular (or should that be valued customers) and show mainly only displeasure at what they see as the Courts 'taking the p***' these worried few stood out somewhat. Upon enquiry it turns out that one was in Court for a CSA matter and the others had fallen behind with their Council Tax payments.
Note: They had reason to looked worried because the Council involved have a story about how they had a member of the public arrested and taken to the Civic Centre for questioning recently!
Contrasting nicely with the worried looking folk were a particularly unpleasant bunch who were making so much noise (whilst at the same time telling the Bench that they needed to speak up) that both the prosecution and defence asked the Bench if the could be removed from the Court room. Incredibly the Bench had to retire for at least ten minutes to decide what they dare say to these four men in the public gallery.
In came the Bench and they told the Usher to ask the men in question if they would like to return to the Court room, a request they declined being as these men were not the type to do something unless they actually wanted to do it.
The Bench was told of the refusal and The Chair suddenly looked like she meant business,
'The men outside will not be allowed to return to this Courtroom, nor will they contact anyone connected to this case, any attempt will be viewed as Contenpt of Court'.
But of course the people who she was talking to were absent.
'Security, please tell the men what has been decided'
Of course these men did not listen, they did not care and asked the question how anyone would know if they contacted any of the witnesses?
They told security that they were going nowhere and that they should 'go away and mind their own business'
One of the men had driven at least one 'secure' witness to Court that morning, so I wonder how he managed to avoid being in contempt or if he even tried?
I was left thinking that the White upper middle class pensioners who made up the bench were about as unimpressive to these beligerant young black men as it was possible to be. They either chose to appear weak or they were unable to take any other course of action.
Unless you, like the people who had fallen behind with their Council Tax you actually care about going to Court, the Mags are like a toothless tiger.
Instead of automatic doors they should fit revolving ones.
posted by Mr Insignificant at 7:49 am
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