CAREERS/POLITICS TRIP – MK MAGISTRATES COURT

A group of aspiring lawyers from Year 12 and Year 10 Politics students, visited Milton Keynes Magistrates Court, where criminal cases go through their first hearing. The students spent time in an empty court learning about the workings and procedures of the court including the role of the Presiding Magistrate and two wingers, defence solicitors, prosecutors and duty solicitors. They then moved to another court where we observed five cases: several drink driving offences, assaulting a police officer, carrying a knife and sexual assault. The girls learnt about the difference between community and custodial sentences, how the respective solicitors present cases and how mitigating circumstances, often involving mental health, are taken into consideration. Following the cases, they took part in a Q and A with a JP where we were able to ask questions about what they had seen and also find out about new challenges that magistrates are facing, in particular the increase in drug driving and knife crime. This visit gave a brilliant insight into our legal system and helped us visualise academic studies, support EPQ research and our careers programme.