Magistrates With Criminal Records?? All In The Name Of Diversity.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6084797/Magistrates-criminal-records-boost-diversity-end-chronic-shortage-judges.html

[naomi24]

//But Mr Bache defended those with minor criminal records.....It also appeared to rule out people who have committed a number of minor offences, been banned from driving in the past five to ten years or declared bankrupt.//

If driving bans and bankruptcy are out, what does he consider to be a minor criminal record?

[nailit]

//If driving bans and bankruptcy are out, what does he consider to be a minor criminal record?//
Wondered the same myself naomi when I read the article.
Think my own chances of becoming a Beak are pretty slim...

[naomi24]

Haha! Well, that's one career path off the agenda then. ;o)

Can't think what his definition of minor crimes might be.

[Togo]

We need more murderers as doctors, and paedophiles as child minders surely.

[naomi24]

But only if they're from ethnic minorities, Togo. After all, this is all about boosting diversity.

[Togo]

Haha. If I was up before the beak, I wouldn't mind it being Nails mind. He would give me a fortnight in Barbados.

[naomi24]

Oooooo .... I like Barbados! One of my favourite places. Now ... crime? ....What to do? Hmmmm .....

[nailit]

AND an AB curfew Togo. You must reside in AB between the hours of 7pm & 7 am....
Now THAT would be a punishment!!

[1ozzy]

You are cruel Nailit!

Jeez, why not "no telly and off to bed, now!!"

[nailit]

//You are cruel Nailit! //
On reflection Oz, 12 hours per night of AB is a bit harsh. That punishment should only be reserved for repeat serial offenders and mods.

[1ozzy]

And Antipodeans ;-/

[rowanwitch]

Always something I fancied doing,

[anotheoldgit]

/// He also agreed with Labour MP David Lammy's report last year that noted the lack of black and ethnic minority magistrates. ///

/// He stressed: 'If you see three white faces, as Lammy pointed out, and you're from an ethnic minority, the perception may be that they're not on your side. ///

And that could also apply if one is white and facing three black faces on the bench.

[rowanwitch]

They claim the ideal is to have a diverse panel but as things stand they don't have the mix of people available to do this. West Mids are not recruiting at the moment but female, disabled and bi, is three diversity boxes ticked.

[vulcan42]

Most days I check the dictionary but still can't find the definition of diverse meaning everything is correct and fair. I suppose one day, when juries consist of scores of people to represent every diversity, it will.

[dave50]

If black people dont want to become magistrates then you cant force them, it's nobody else's fault.

[hereIam]

I've heard everything now !

[andy-hughes]

I think Mr Bache is addressing two separate issues, and he has been careless in bracketing them together, with the attendant fuss that this has caused.

Firstly he wants to encourage a greater proportion of magistrates from ethnic minorities, and also encourage a younger demographic, to replace the rapidly ageing population who are now retiring.

Secondly, he wants to advise that a minor infringement, such as one incident of teenage shoplifting for example, would not necessarily bar a potential candidate, although each individual would be assessed carefully.

What he has done is created the impression that any black youth with a record as long as his arm can rock up and start letting all his criminal friends off with a wave and a tenner from petty cash for the cab home.

It's a gift to the media who delight in slanting something to make it read as rather different than it actually is - but that is what sells papers.

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// What he has done is created the impression that any black youth with a record as long as his arm can rock up and start letting all his criminal friends off with a wave and a tenner from petty cash for the cab home. ///

It is on is only that is giving that impression, regarding black criminals.
Who says it couldn't be any white youth with a record as long as your arm?
Hence it is you, and only you, that is giving the impression that only black youths tend to be criminals, shame on you.