Confusion
Posted by Caroline on August 21, 1998 at 16:50:45:
In response to Caroline: a question about magistrates vs. J.P's, written by SuzanneR on August 21, 1998 at 12:31:46
It is really confusing! JP's were first 'invented' in the reign of one of the Edwards, I think, and between that date and 1888, when things were sorted out , essentially, and County Councils were born,JP's took on more any mor eof the burden of making the whole social and legal sysytem function. In that long period, JP's went from being relatively lowly assistant sherrifs to having to basically rule the countryside. It's really hard to point to a specific time and place and say exactly what they did, there and then....I tried to explain what they would have done in Surrey, in 1815, and I 've obviously confused the issue further. Sorry! I 've done a bit of reading of Trevelyan, and a couple of other old books, and can only offer something from T, which is more or less waht I started off with...., namely, that in Tom Jones it's Squire Weston who's the Justice of the Peace, who goes round threatening and arresting and following up missing daughters, and it's Squire Allworthy, who is the magistrate, and has to deal with the aftermath. However, I think my main point still stands, that neither job required the holder to be a trained lawyer. I'm not going to be able to look up any more for a few days, by which time someone like John W, who explains these things so well, will have clarified it all, no doubt;-) If I find anything else constructive, I'll let you know.
- 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)
- Thanks, Captain Everett! If you feel like it sometime... SuzanneR 22:31:06 8/24/98
(0)
- Justices of the Peace (long) Captain Everett 21:30:08 8/24/98
(1)
- Magistrates John W 17:18:29 8/22/98
(2)
- Thanks so much Caroline and John. Now, to get it straight... SuzanneR 13:17:53 8/22/98
(3)
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