WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

MIC come into schools and community groups within the Greater Manchester area to provide free interactive presentations on the Criminal Justice System. We provide an overview of the Magistracy, who we are, what we do, the kind of crimes we cover and sentencing options, very much looking at choices and consequences with a particular focus, if required, on cyberbullying and knife crime. 

Here are details about a few of the presentations/workshops we deliver and the targeted year groups. They can be adapted to suit different year groups.

Introduction to the Magistracy

Years 6, 7, 8 - Duration 45 minutes to an hour


An engaging quiz and presentation on the role of Magistrates and the Criminal Justice System, highlighting the consequences of a criminal record, looking at:

  • How Magistrates came into existence
  • What crimes come to the Magistrates Court
  • What happens when someone is brought to Court, a simple step-by-step process when someone pleads guilty or not guilty
  • How a trial works
  • Sentencing options
  • The differences between the Magistrate and the Crown Court


Choices and Consequences Sessions


Thought provoking discussions in topical areas very much looking at choices and consequences with a particular focus, such as:

Cyberbullying:

 

Cyberbullying Presentation

Years 6, 7 & 8 - Duration 45 minutes



An interactive PowerPoint Presentation. This can be tagged on to the Introductory Presentation detailed above.

 

  • Simple definition of cyberbullying
  • Why do children ‘cyberbully’?
  • A focus on the victims of cyberbullying
  • The Law on Cyberbullying
  • Help and support if being bullied online

Cyberbullying Workshop

Years 6 & 7 - Duration 45 minutes



Presentation boards are used. Children become Magistrates and hear the evidence in the case of Sonia Read, a 14-year-old, appearing in Youth Court accused of sending malicious and abusive messages to another 14-year-old girl. The children must decide if Sonia is guilty or not guilty, based on the evidence they have heard.

Overall Goals:


  • Provide a brief overview of the Magistracy and the trial process.
  • Help children understand what cyberbullying is.
  • Encourage empathy and responsible online behaviour.
  • Empower them to act safely and kindly online.
  • Highlight the consequences of a criminal record.


Knife Crime:

 

Knives

Years 6 to 10 - Duration 1 hour.



An interactive PowerPoint Presentation and Quiz. This is a thought-provoking presentation, and questions are welcomed from students throughout. It covers:


  • What does the law say? What is the legal definition
  • Banned Knives and offensive weapons
  • Sentencing for being in possession of a bladed article (adult and youth)
  • Joint Enterprise, using recent local examples
  • Why do people carry knives, dispelling the myths
  • What to do if you find a knife, how to keep safe
  • How to help someone if they have been stabbed

Drugs:


Drug/Drink Driving

Years 12 & 13 - Duration 1 hour


Important educational presentation ahead of this cohort going off to university, having recently passed their driving test or applied for a provisional licence. The interactive PowerPoint presentation and discussion covers:

 

  • What is a drug? – Look at formal and informal definitions
  • Legal (prescription and OTC) and illegal drugs
  • Controlled drugs classification in law
  • Sentences for drug offences such as possession and supply
  • Why does the drink drive law exist, what is the legal limit?
  • Consequences of drink driving – various sentences
  • Drug driving – how the impact of certain drugs impairs driving
  • Consequences of drug driving – various sentences

Sentencing Workshop

Years 9, 10 & 11 - Duration 1 hour


A case-study based workshop where students become Magistrates and go through the sentencing of a Section 47 Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm Case.

 

  • A brief overview of the Magistracy is given alongside sentencing options open to Magistrates.


  • Students are provided with a set of sentencing guidelines.


  • Students are given the case for the prosecution and the defence. They must then use their guidelines to find a starting point (sentence) for this type of offence.


  • Students are then provided with information from The Prosecution Service and the defendant and must decide if this information acts as an aggravating or mitigating feature of the offence. Does it change the starting point when looking at sentence?


  • Final Sentence and provide their reasons for this.

Mock Trials in the Classroom

 

A mock trial in the classroom involves the students acting out a trial in which they play all the major roles: Magistrates, solicitors, defendants, witnesses, and court officials. We provide a prepared script. It is up to the students to decide upon a guilty or not guilty verdict based on the evidence they have heard. We have several topics that can be covered:

Cyberbullying Mock Trial

Years 6 & 7 - Duration 1 hour

 

  • Children become Magistrates and hear the evidence in the case of R vs Sonia Read, a 14-year-old, appearing in Youth Court accused of sending malicious and abusive messages to another 14-year-old girl. The children must decide if Sonia is guilty or not guilty, based on what they have heard.


  • A script is sent out in advance so teachers can allocate parts and handout copies of the script to the children. It is fine for them to use the script on the day, but a read through before just helps their confidence.


  • Following the trial, whilst the visiting and student  Magistrates are out deliberating to reach a verdict, an MIC presenter leads the children left in the room through the same deliberation process, looking at and evaluating the evidence which has been presented.

Possession of a Bladed Article Mock Trial

Years 6 to 10 - Duration 1 hour

 

  • The trial is the case of R vs Jo Stockwell.  It's a youth case of possession of a bladed article in a public place. 

 

  • A script is sent out in advance, so teachers allocate parts and handout copies of the script to the children. It is fine for them to use the script on the day, but a read through before just helps their confidence.


  • Following the trial, whilst the visiting and student  Magistrates are out deliberating to reach a verdict, an MIC presenter leads the children left in the room through the same deliberation process, looking at and evaluating the evidence which has been presented

Adult Community Groups

 

Talk about the magistracy and magistrates' court

Duration – Flexible, 45 minutes to 1 hour

 

Adult community groups such as the WI, U3A, Probus etc often meet in public venues such as community centres and church halls. These locations typically lack the technology for PowerPoint or similar presentations.

As a result, we offer an alternative format of interactive meetings with one or two visiting magistrates. Rather than employing a traditional presentation approach, we engage participants in an open conversation. Audience members are encouraged to ask questions throughout the session, and we also pose questions to the audience to promote participation. Our discussions cover topics such as the role of a magistrate, the court system and procedures, sentencing determination, bail decisions and potential conditions, as well as other proceedings in which magistrates participate. We do not talk about specific cases.

Mock Trials to Adult Groups

Duration  45 minutes to 1 hour



We are often invited to return for a second visit to run a mock trial. These sessions closely resemble those held at schools, with audience members participating in all the roles. We have available two suitable scripts: one covering theft from a shop and another that deals with a common assault in a pub.