In an effort to increase diversity amongst the Judiciary, John Bache - Chairperson of the Magistrates' Association - has called for more ex-offenders to become magistrates. People who have previously been an ‘offender', can potentially help defendants to feel less alienated, understand what is happening and feel less intimidated of the court system.
This idea is not too dissimilar to what Richard Monkhouse (the then chairperson of the Magistrates' Association) said in 2013. He referred to former offenders potentially being able to bring ‘a bit of reality into the courtroom'.
Clearly a more representative set of magistrates is needed - the magistracy is predominantly white, middle-class and older.
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