Law Enforcement-Step Into the Danger Zone.

Firstly an idea is created, this is called a bill. It is usually created by government but can also be produced by MP's. The bill must be passed through several stages of evaluation before it becomes a law. The idea itself, much be passed through both the House of Lords and the House of Commons but the process can start at either.

? First reading - The bill is drafted and introduced to parliament. Certain aspects of the bill such as loopholes are identified.
? Second reading -The house (lords or commons) have a debate on whether the bill should proceed to further stages. The vote must consist of over half.
? Committee stage -The bill is examined by a group of members called the committee. These members propose amendments, however these amendments must be voted for by both houses.
? Report stage -A report is produced to explain the amendments.
? Third Reading - A vote takes place to secure these amendments. The house must now decide if the bill becomes a law or not. Again both houses have to agree, however if there is a divide in vote then the bill process can be delayed for a year.
? Royal Assent - Here the final stages of the bill are passed to the Queen for her Royal assent. From here the bill becomes an act of parliament, although in almost every case the act doesn't come into practice straight away but this allows people to get used to the new law.

If we break the law, as with all criminal investigations the process starts at magistrate court, if it is a serious criminal offence such as murder, rape and robbery it is more likely to be forwarded to the crown court. There will be three magistrates and a district judge to assess the case where as a crown court will proceed with a judge and a jury; I find it ironic how the case proceeds without a jury in the magistrates. Maybe if the public were present, the perception of such crimes would be different, would it matter at all, as the jury can only decide on the plea not the actual punishment unlike the judge, either way the magistrates court deals with minor offences of up to 6 months/fines or community service. Here i would like to explain a number of typical criticisms with the sentencing service.

1. Tendency to see professional and managerial middle class, middle aged magistrates. These people have a lack of knowledge of many young defendants and many of the crimes which are seen throughout the lower classes and passed through the magistrates' court. They lack the knowledge and perception of crime in local areas.