Caroline: a question about magistrates vs. J.P's

Posted by SuzanneR on August 21, 1998 at 12:31:46:

In response to Enclosure, Rights of Way, Justices and Magistrates, written by Caroline on August 21, 1998 at 12:07:14

] A Justice of the Peace was, at the time, the head of the local Law and Order bunch, before proper police forces came into being. A JP had under him a bunch of stalwart, elected volunteers , and went around locking up drunks, arresting minor criminals (such as poultry-rustlers and gypsies that assault young Harriets)
SNIP] A Magistrate isn't a Lawyer, either. In Austen's time it was a worthy person, often the local landlord, who had the power to act as Judge in cases involving local by-laws, civil disputes and minor criminal infringements of the local law. In other words, the JP arrested the Gypsies and turned them over to the Magistrate to decide what to do with them.

Hi Caroline:

I'm a little confused. I had always thought the terms magistrate and justice of the peace to be essentially synonymous, but here it sounds like they served two very different functions.

Can you add a bit more?

Thanks. Suzanne

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REPLIES:

• Confusion Caroline 16:50:45 8/21/98 (5)
  • JP and Magistrate John W 06:05:13 8/22/98 (4)
    • Thanks so much Caroline and John. Now, to get it straight... SuzanneR 13:17:53 8/22/98 (3)
      • Magistrates John W 17:18:29 8/22/98 (2)
        • Justices of the Peace (long) Captain Everett 21:30:08 8/24/98 (1)
          • Thanks, Captain Everett! If you feel like it sometime... SuzanneR 22:31:06 8/24/98 (0)

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