Teens take over at Cardiff Magistrates Court
PUPILS from Abersychan comprehensive school took over the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court staff to try a case in
Cardiff magistrates’ court. The students who took part were judged by real magistrates while carefully constructed witness statements were used to prepare the prosecution and defence of a criminal case.
One pupil said: “There is a lot of responsibility attached to being a magistrate. You are dealing with people’s lives. I thought that magistrates were people who enjoyed dishing out punishment.”
Tony Breslin, Chief Executive of the Citizenship Foundation which organised the day, said: “Over 95% of criminal cases are dealt with by magistrates, yet very few people know enough about their vital role.”