Are There Any Legal Comebacks?

[nailedit]

I was in mags court a few weeks back.
I thought that I recognised the face of the
chairman of the bench when I walked in.

My case was heard and sentence handed.

Later, when my case was reported in the paper,
I realised where I knew him from.

From work...
He was also a vicar that I used to have regular contact with, but over time
my appearance had changed. He obviously didnt recognise me
(Nor me him. Used to seeing him with a dog collar on and a flamboyent shirt,
not a shirt and tie. Also hadnt seen him for 2 years)
He used to deliver donations fortnightly to my place of work.

Just wondering about the legal implications of this
as I know that magistrates are supposed to step down if they
know the defendant?

(not complaining as he gave me a conditional discharge)

Just wondered about any legal implications either now or in the future
if I were to be convicted again (in the next 12 month)

[naomi24]

Perhaps he didn’t remember you - or didn’t know you as well as you knew him. That happens with people who hold a unique place in society. They don’t know many people - but everyone knows them.

[fiveleaves]

Does he know you by name? If he didn't recognize your name and didn't recognize your face i cant see there is any problem.
Vicars by the nature of the job come across a great many people

[DTCwordfan]

suck it up and keep your head low.....you're out and about, aren't you?

[douglas9401]

You've clearly been mulling. :-)

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1842965.html

[Zacs-Master]

Yes, I thought I remembered it as well.

[nailedit]

naomi,
Me (and his wife) spoke on a regular basis but yes, that makes sense.
He knew a hell of a lot more people than I did.
And my appearence had changed a lot.
When he knew me 2 years ago, I was a clean shaven skinhead.
I appeared in court as a bearded man with a comb over ;-)

[nailedit]

//Does he know you by name? //
First name only.
My surname is practically unpronounceable
to most people.

[douglas9401]

Is that hyphenated?

[DTCwordfan]

'Nialdtie' - I'm not surprised!

[nailedit]

//suck it up and keep your head low.....you're out and about, aren't you?//
Already sucked it up ;-)
Couldnt have wished for a better outcome.
The magistrate couldnt have been fairer
than he was as a vicar.
I knew him well, top bloke.
Just wondered about the legalities of it all???

[nailedit]

douglas,
Not mulling.
Questioning.
There's a difference!

[Buenchico]

A 'passing acquaintanceship' with the defendant doesn't bar a magistrate from serving on the bench. For example, a magistrate who's a shopkeeper isn't barred from serving when the defendant happens to be one of his customers. Your situation would seem to be largely similar to that.

[nailedit]

Cheers Chris.
Just wondering where the cut of line is?
The headmaster of my old school became a magistrate upon his retirement and was on the bench (years later) when one of my former teachers was up before him.
He had to retire from the bench as he knew him.

(How I know this is another story in itself...)

[New Judge]

//Just wondering where the cut of line is?//

The cut-off line is wherever the individual Magistrate (with the advice of his or her Legal Advisor, if required) considers it to be. In short, there isn't a cut-off line.