Magistrates to get more powers to jail criminals for longer

Magistrates to get tougher powers to jail offenders for a year

Tougher sentencing powers are set to be granted to magistrates to help clear up the backlog of court cases - but will it work?

Magistrates sentencing powers to be doubled to tackle backlog of court cases

The Covid pandemic has led to a backlog of cases which could persist for ‘many years’ (Picture: Getty)Magistrates will be given powers to impose tougher sentences to help tackle a backlog of criminal cases created by the pandemic.They will be able to hand jail terms of up to a year — double the current six months — and hear more serious cases such as fraud, theft and assault.Crimes warranting a prison term of more than six months must be sent to…

Magistrates set to be given more sentencing powers in bid to tackle long court backlogs

MAGISTRATES will be given more sentencing powers in a bid to tackle the backlog of cases waiting to be dealt with by criminal courts.

Magistrates to get more powers to jail criminals for longer

In a bid to tackle court backlogs, magistrates in England and Wales will be able to jail criminals for longer.

Tougher powers for magistrates to jail criminals and clear courts backlog

Dominic Raab announces biggest shake-up of judicial system for 140 years, with sentencing reform freeing up judges to deal with major trials

Magistrates granted more sentencing powers to help tackle court backlog

Critics warns change could make crown court delays even worse