Education

Lessons from our past at the Yorkshire Law and Order Museums

Case trials

The following are examples of cases heard in a Magistrate's Court, which may be used during schools educational visits to the Courthouse Museum.

1. One (too many) for the road - a modern case suitable for Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4

Summary of a modern case. Two offences, drink driving and possession of a class B controlled drug. The accused enters a guilty plea.

Sample of the script :-

Defending Solicitor : . . . 'Mr Record had no intention of driving either that night or rather the early hours of the morning or indeed later, however, one of his friends who had stayed at Mr Record's house on their return from their night out needed to get a train the next morning the date of the offence. Mr Record was returning from the railway station when he was seen by a police officer and stopped . . .'

2. Tools of the trade - an historical case suitable for Key Stages 1, 2 and 3

Summary of an historical trial case dated 1839 involving two defendants who have been accused of burglary and who are pleading not guilty. One defendant has twice before been dealt with for theft. The second accused has one previous conviction for theft.

Sample of the script :-

Clerk to the Justices (speaks to the court) . . . 'Your Worships, John Doe has two previous convictions for theft. He has never worked for long and he and his family are rgular visitors to the Relief Office. The only sentence available is transportation to Australia where he will be put to hard labour.'

3. A loaf of bread . . . - an historical case suitable for Key Stages 1 and 2

Summary of an historical trial case dated 1830 involving a twelve year old boy who has been accused of theft. The accused pleads not guilty.

Sample of the script :-

Mr Peter Parnaby : 'I saw the lad creeping around my stall. When I was busy he grabbed a loaf of bread and shoved it up his jacket. He ran off and I shouted "stop thief." I am an honest man Sir, - and it was good bread.'

4. Riot and robbery - an historical case suitable for Key Stage 4

Part 1 : The Commital Hearing . . .

The case is heard at Ripon Liberty Courthouse in 1832. The Magistrates have to decide if this case should be tried by either a Quarter Sessions Court held in Ripon or before a Judge and Jury at the Assizes Court held in York (only Assizes Courts have the power to impose capital sentences - the death penalty.)

Part 2 : The Trial . . .

This is the trial of three men accused of the crime of Riot and of Robbery.

Sample of the script :-

Prosecutiong Solicitor : 'The defendants have admitted thet they were present at the disturbance but deny that they were ring leaders. The law does not require that a conviction for riot must show some degree of leadership and control over events. Motive or intent does not have to be proved if the disorder self evidently shows that the mob is intent upon disorder.'

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