Don’t sit on the fence, sit on the bench

The modern day magistracy aims to be a system by the people, for the people. However, only 7.3% of the total number of magistrates across the country are Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) magistrates. With so few BME representatives sitting in the magistrates’ courts, it seems that “a system by the people, for the people” is more of an aspiration than a reality.

Magistrates are people who serve their community on a voluntary basis, and do not have formal legal qualifications. They handle criminal court cases within their communities such as motoring offenses, theft, and drug offenses.

However, because of BME under-representation within the Criminal Justice System, there is a lack of understanding, which translates into unequal treatment of individuals. According to the Ministry of Justice’s Race and Criminal Justice System Report 2009, Black people are stopped and searched nearly 8 times more per head of population than their White counterparts, arrested 3 to 4 more times, and there are 5 times more Black people in prison per head of population than White people. Blacks and minority ethnic communities are under-represented in the political sphere, and yet are overrepresented in victimisation and crime.

It’s time to eradicate the racial justice gap. By becoming a magistrate you will be able to positively contribute to civic society, inspire minority communities, and create an equally represented court. And by attending our free seminar, you will have the opportunity to learn about the roles and responsibilities of a magistrate, meet serving Magistrates and court officials, deliberate sample cases, and discuss the application process.

Operation Black Vote is providing this unique and free learning opportunity to BME individuals who care about justice and desire to serve their communities. This is your chance to get involved and play a full and positive role within your public institutions. Without more BME representation, our magistracy created “by the people, for the people” will continue to be nothing more than wishful thinking.

The seminar will be held in the Medway area on Saturday 18 June 2011 from 11:30am – 2:45pm. To request a booking form, please visit the Operation Black Vote website: www.obv.org.uk or contact Merlene Carrington by telephone on 0208 983 5430 or email: mag@obv.org.uk quoting ‘Regional Seminars’ in the subject field.

Teasha Bayles