Magistrates Court's (aka Police Courts).

So MANY years ago we had the Police Courts, however years ago they were renamed "Magistrates Courts" in order to appear to be more fair, the question is though, did they actually become more fair? Every man is equal before the law, but not in a Magistrates Court, Magistrate are inherently more likely to believe Police Officers over defendants.

Lets look at why.

Put simply Magistrates are not legally trained, they are volunteers, they receive some training but not in the Law, their training essentially teaches them to believe everything a Police Officer tells them.

So can you win in a Magistrates Court?

Yes, but when it comes down to factual disputes it is HIGHLY unlikely that you will be found not guilty and often it takes an appeal to the Crown Court to get actual justice.

If you have an alibi or other rock solid evidence that disproves the prosecutions case, it is however likely you will be found not guilty.

But what if there is a legal argument?

Put simply you can make the argument in a Magistrates Court and although they have legal adviser, it is still possible they will find you guilty, therefore to make a legal case you would again have to appeal.