People in Law Cases in Great Britain. Judges in Great Britain

Narrator: The Magistrate talks about the sort of people who come before him.

Magistrate: I would say that a very large proportion of the people who come before courts are in some way or other inadequate.

Interviewer: I see.

Magistrate: They’ve never fully grown up emotionally.

Interviewer: I see.

Magistrate: And they react to a situation rather as a child would react to it. I think the overwhelming impression is that of people who really do need some help in one way or another…

Interviewer: Yes…not necessarily punishment …

Magistrate: Not necessarily punishment at all!

Interviewer: I see.

Magistrate: You see… one constantly sees in the newspapers or hears on the television and elsewhere that the people say that criminals are molly–coddled…

Interviewer: Yes… they have their…

Magistrate: which has …

Interviewer: given too soft… The treatment that is given to them is too soft, yes.

Magistrate: Much too soft! And this is the general public reaction. Why should you spend money on these worthless people when there’re other people who also need help?

Interviewer: People who haven’t committed crimes.

Magistrate: Yes, But whereas with as a nation I think we’re very sympathetic with people who have physical disabilities.

Interviewer: I see.

Magistrate: I think we’re insufficiently concerned with those who have emotional and intellectual shortcomings.

Answer the questions:

1. What kind of people are Magistrates?

2. Why are they selected?

3. Who would judge a person who had committed a crime like murder?

4. Who selects Magistrates and what is unusual about the system?

5. What does the Magistrates on the tape talk about?