Events
Event Notice
'You Be The Judge' - Sentencing Event
Tuseday, 23rd March 2010 at 5.00 p.m.
Whitehaven Magistrates' Court, Catherine Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7PA
Do you think sentencing in the courts is too harsh or too soft? Would you like to be in court when the key facts of a case are explained, the verdict confirmed and be able to decide upon an appropriate sentence? You can have the opportunity at a public event to be held in Whitehaven.
Using anonymised real-life case examples, the event is designed to increase public knowledge of some of the issues involved in sentencing in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. During the course of the event, a panel made up of representatives from the Judiciary operating in Cumbria, senior staff members of HMCS and the Crown Prosecution Service, and a member of defence counsel will talk you through their roles within the court process.When the facts of the case have been heard, members of the audience will be asked to vote on the sentencing option that they feel is most appropriate to the circumstances of the case, taking into account the seriousness of the offence and the previous record of the offender. Following the vote, a member of the panel will describe the actual sentence applied in the real case and the reason for it.There will be an opportunity to pose questions to the panel following each case and also at the conclusion of the event.
To reserve a place, contact Pauline Croall, Court Manager, on (01900) 609603 or e-mail pauline.croall@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk
Event Notice
'You Be The Judge' - Inside Justice Week 2009
Thursday, 22nd October 2009 at 5.00 p.m.
Penrith Magistrates' Court, Lowther Terrace, Penrith, CA11 7QL
Do you think sentencing in the courts is too harsh or too soft? Would you like to be in court when the key facts of a case are explained, the verdict confirmed and be able to decide upon an appropriate sentence? You can have the opportunity at a public event to be held in Penrith.
Using anonymised real-life case examples, the event is designed to increase public knowledge of some of the issues involved in sentencing in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. During the course of the event, a panel made up of representatives from the Judiciary operating in Cumbria, senior staff members of HMCS and the Crown Prosecution Service, and a member of defence counsel will talk you through their roles within the court process.
When the facts of the case have been heard, members of the audience will be asked to vote on the sentencing option that they feel is most appropriate to the circumstances of the case, taking into account the seriousness of the offence and the previous record of the offender. Following the vote, a member of the panel will describe the actual sentence applied in the real case and the reason for it.
There will be an opportunity to pose questions to the panel following each case and also at the conclusion of the event.
To reserve a place, contact Wendy Binks (01768) 217655
Event Notice
Open Meeting
Lancashire & Cumbria Courts Board are holding an Open Meeting on Thursday, 3rd Sepember 2009 at Carlisle Combined Court, Earl Street, Carlisle starting at 2.00 p.m.
For more information, contact: Lorraine Edgar on (01772) 272820 or e-mail lorraine.edgar@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk
Please note that the Board will not comment on individual cases or on sentencing matters.
Event Notice
Police Open Day
Sunday, 12th July 2009 from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
North Cumbria Area Police Headquarters, Durranhill, Carlisle
On Sunday 12 July Police in North Cumbria will be hosting a public open day at the new area Headquarters at Durranhill, to showcase the new building to the local community.
The event will promote Neighbourhood Policing Teams, specialist departments and partner agencies, who will have stalls and demonstrations during the day. The custody suite will also be open
to the public.
There will be quizzes and games for younger people, food available in the canteen and people will be raising money for CFM Radio’s 'Cash for Kids' charity.
Event Notice
Law Careers Event (for Sixth Form Students in the Barrow area)
Monday, 8th June 2009 starting at 5.30 p.m. and finishing no later than 8.30 p.m.
Barrow Magistrates' Court, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness
A law careers event aimed at sixth-form students in the Barrow area who are considering the law and criminal justice as a future career. A number of agencies will be present, including Cumbria Constabulary, Crown Prosecution Service, HM Courts Service, Prison Service, Probation Service, Defence Counsel, Youth Offending Service and Victim Support. The University of Cumbria will also be present to explain the relevant courses that they have on offer.
Attendance is by invitation to your school from Connexions Cumbria. If you are a student in the Barrow area and wish to attend, please contact your school careers staff or local Connexions office directly.
Event Notice
Law Careers Event (for Sixth Form Students in the Kendal area)
Wednesday, 29th April 2009 starting at 5.30 p.m. and finishing no later than 8.30 p.m.
Kendal Magistrates' Court, Burneside Road, Kendal
A law careers event aimed at sixth-form students in the Kendal area who are considering the law and criminal justice as a future career. A number of agencies will be present, including Cumbria Constabulary, Crown Prosecution Service, HM Courts Service, Prison Service, Probation Service, Defence Counsel, Youth Offending Service and Victim Support. The University of Cumbria will also be present to explain the relevant courses that they have on offer.
Attendance is by invitation to your school from Connexions Cumbria. If you are a student in the Kendal area and wish to attend, please contact your school careers staff or local Connexions office directly.
Event Notice
Law Careers Event (for Sixth Form Students in the Carlisle area)
Wednesday, 18th March 2009 starting at 5.30 p.m. and finishing no later than 8.30 p.m.
Carlisle Magistrates' Court, Rickergate, Carlisle
A law careers event aimed at sixth-form students in the Carlisle area who are considering the law and criminal justice as a future career. A number of agencies will be present, including Cumbria Constabulary, Crown Prosecution Service, HM Courts Service, Prison Service, Probation Service, Defence Counsel, Youth Offending Service and Victim Support. The University of Cumbria will also be present to explain the relevant courses that they have on offer.
Attendance is by invitation to your school from Connexions Cumbria. If you are a student in the Carlisle area and wish to attend, please contact your school careers staff or local Connexions office directly.
Event Notice
You Be The Judge - Sentencing Event
Tuesday, 10th March 2009 starting at 5.30 p.m. and expected to finish no later than 8.00 p.m.
(Light refreshments will be served from 5.00 p.m.)
Workington Magistrates' Court, Ramsay Brow, Workington
Her Majesty’s Courts Service – Cumbria & Lancashire Area, is hosting another 'You be the Judge' event, designed to increase public knowledge and understanding of sentencing within the Magistrates' and Crown Courts. The event is open to agencies, groups and individuals with an interest in the criminal justice system.
A panel, consisting of representatives from the Judiciary in Cumbria, senior members of staff from Her Majesty's Courts Service, the Crown Prosecution Service and a representative of Defence Counsel, will talk you through their respective roles within the context of a court hearing or trial.
You will hear about real cases (suitably anonymised) and have your chance to vote on what you think the appropriate sentence should be based on the facts and circumstances described to you. After voting, the actual sentence passed in the case will then be revealed to you. There will be an opportunity to pose questions to the panel following each case and also at the conclusion of the event.
To request a place at the event please contact Pauline Croall on (01900) 609603 or e-mail pauline.croall@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk
Please submit requests by Tuesday, 3rd March 2009. Numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Event Notice
You Be The Judge - Sentencing Event
Wednesday, 26th November 2008 starting at 5.30 p.m. and expected to finish no later than 8.00 p.m.
(Light refreshments will be served from 5.00 p.m.)
Barrow Magistrates' Court, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness
Her Majesty’s Courts Service – Cumbria & Lancashire Area, is hosting a second 'You be the Judge' event, designed to increase public knowledge and understanding of sentencing within the Magistrates' and Crown Courts. The event is open to agencies, groups and individuals with an interest in the criminal justice system.
A panel, consisting of representatives from the Judiciary in Cumbria, senior members of staff from Her Majesty's Courts Service, the Crown Prosecution Service and a representative of Defence Counsel, will talk you through their respective roles within the context of a court hearing or trial.
You will hear about real cases (suitably anonymised) and have your chance to vote on what you think the appropriate sentence should be based on the facts and circumstances described to you. After voting, the actual sentence passed in the case will then be revealed to you. There will be an opportunity to pose questions to the panel following each case and also at the conclusion of the event.
To request a place at the event please contact Steve Harris on (01229) 840316 or e-mail steve.harris1@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk
Please submit requests by Friday, 21st November 2008. Numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Event Report
Law Careers Event - Workington
Almost 100 sixth-form students and parents came along to Workington Magistrates’ Court for a Law Careers Event on 22nd October 2008.
The event, which was co-promoted by Connexions Cumbria, HM Courts Service and the Criminal Justice Board, was designed to better inform students about the career opportunities within the criminal justice system and help them in making choices for higher and further education courses.
All local criminal justice agencies attended on the night, with Tim Frost MBE of KJ Commons & Co representing the defence lawyers. Also present were Magistrates in the Community, who undertook a series of talks about their work, and the University of Cumbria, who promoted the new Institute of Policing and Criminal Justice as well as courses in general.
Staff were kept busy and the feedback from the event was very positive. It is likely that similar joint events will be held in the future in other parts of the county, timed to coincide with the key decision periods for sixth formers.
Mike Priestley, Area Manager for Connexions said:
"Evaluation we collected, and feedback on the evening, shows that the young people found the event very helpful in providing information on careers which interested them and some of those they had not considered within criminal justice. We know from research we have undertaken with young people that they really value the chance to talk to practitioners to find out about types of work above almost all other sources of information."
Gail Inglis from Magistrates in the Community added:
"It was an ideal opportunity to communicate not just with sixth-form students themselves, but also with their parents; to let both groups, not normally in a courtroom, learn more about the system that we work within. A bonus is that we've had some applications from those parents to become magistrates."
Carlisle Court Open Day - Justice Quiz Winners
Congratulations to Mr Owen Skinner of Carlisle, who has won first prize in our Justice Quiz competition! His prize of a £25 book token is on its way. Second prize was won by Mrs E Sproat, also of Carlisle, who receives a £10 book token.
Thank you to all those who took part - the correct answers can be downloaded here.
Event Notice
Court Open Day
Saturday, 18th October 2008 from 1030 a.m. until 4.00 p.m.
Carlisle Combined Court, Earl Street, Carlisle
As part of this year's Inside Justice Week, Her Majesty's Courts Service is providing an opportunity for the public to see what goes on at the Combined Court (criminal and civil cases) in Carlisle. Visitors we be able to:
- Tour the courtrooms, cells and prisoner transport vehicles;
- Meet Judges, magistrates, barristers and court staff - find out what their jobs entail;
- Take part in a 'You be the Judge' event - running at various times during the day;
- Learn about forensic science and how it assists the justice process;
- Find out more about Small Claims, Divorce, Bankruptcy and Mediation hearings;
- Visit a range of display stands by criminal and civil justice agencies.
No need to book a place, just turn up on the day!
Event Notice
Court Open Day
Saturday, 13th September 2008 from 10.30 a.m. until 4.00 p.m.
Penrith Magistrates' Court, Hunter Lane, Penrith
Opportunity to look at what goes on in the court, get information, ask questions, plus see various display stands from criminal justice agencies.
Just turn up on the day!
Event Notice
You Be The Judge - Sentencing Event
Wednesday, 11th June 2008 starting at 5.30 p.m. and expected to finish no later than 8.00 p.m.
(Light refreshments will be served from 5.00 p.m.)
Carlisle Combined Court, Earl Street, Carlisle, CA1 1DJ
Her Majesty’s Courts Service – Cumbria & Lancashire Area, is hosting an event to increase public knowledge and understanding of sentencing within the Magistrates' and Crown Courts. The event is open to agencies, groups and individuals with an interest in the criminal justice system.
A panel, consisting of representatives from the Judiciary in Cumbria, senior members of staff from Her Majesty's Courts Service, the Crown Prosecution Service and a representative of Defence Counsel, will talk you through their respective roles within the context of a court hearing or trial.
You will hear about real cases (suitably anonymised) and have your chance to vote on what you think the appropriate sentence should be based on the facts and circumstances described to you. After voting, the actual sentence passed in the case will then be revealed to you. There will be an opportunity to pose questions to the panel following each case and also at the conclusion of the event.
To request a place at the event please contact Wendy Binks: telephone (01768) 217655 or e-mail wendy.binks@cumbria.police.uk
Please submit requests by Friday, 30th May 2008.
Numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Event Report
Question Time - Carlisle
The Criminal Justice Board held its first ‘Question Time’ event at Tullie House Lecture Theatre in Carlisle on the evening of 8th April 2008.
Based on the BBC programme of the same name, the event gave the public the opportunity to pose questions on crime and justice related topics in an open forum. Questions were handed in just before the event started and then grouped into similar themes to ensure a range of topics could be covered during the time available.
Independently chaired by Ashley Tiffen from the University of Cumbria, the question and answer session allowed Board agency representatives to put forward their responses to the matters raised and then the floor was opened to additional comments from the audience.
Topics covered on the night included: balancing punishment and rehabilitation; community sentences as a deterrent; putting victims at the heart of the criminal justice system; alcohol and drug abuse issues; the impact of inspections; improving the conviction rate for rape cases; and improving public confidence in the system.
All of those who attended were given an information pack about the Board to take away.
Event Notice
Criminal Justice Question Time
The Board is hosting a ‘Question Time’ style event in north Cumbria, which is open to agencies, groups and individuals with a working interest in the local criminal justice system, and members of the public. Questions to be discussed must relate to crime or a criminal justice topic, though please note that individual criminal cases cannot be discussed for reasons of confidentiality.
A Panel made up of senior representatives from each of the Board’s member agencies will take part and will answer questions from the audience attending the event. As with the BBC Question Time programmes, questions will need to be submitted in advance of the start of the event, either on the night or earlier, and will be raised through the independent Panel Chairman (to be appointed). There will be some opportunity to discuss the issues arising from the questions submitted. Please note that similar questions may be grouped together to avoid duplication of answers.
The event will take place on Tuesday, 8th April 2008 at Tullie House Museum Lecture Theatre, Castle Street, Carlisle starting at 6.30 p.m.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided and be served from 6.00 p.m. onwards. The event will conclude no later than 8.00 p.m.
ENTRY IS BY TICKET ONLY. Places are limited and tickets will be allocated on a ‘first come’ basis.
If you would like to attend the event, please request a place by telephoning the Board on (01768) 217655 or e-mail ‘ccjbenquiries@cumbria.police.uk’.