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> Criminal law is literally a set of statutes. Simply untrue in common law countries (e.g. the US). Criminal law is absolutely driven by judicial opinions and

> Criminal law is literally a set of statutes. Simply untrue in common law countries (e.g. the US). Criminal law is absolutely driven by judicial opinions and statutory interpretation. > In most states, the formal rules of evidence don't apply. This isn't about evidence. It's about interpreting many doctrines that vary wildly between states. A single statute (re: defenses, attempt, conspiracy, the requisite mens rea to hold someone liable) can yield totally different interpretations.

lurquer 7y ago
You are clearly not a lawyer. Stay within your own lane. South Carolina magistrates handle minor criminal cases where the fine can't exceed $350 or 30 days in jail. Their jurisdiction in civil cases extends to matters involving less that $7500. As noted, if you disagree with the judgment, you get a brand new trial before the elected circuit court judge. There are no convoluted legal mysteries involving whether a tenant had paid rent (the majority of cases) or whether someone was speeding. All of the legal defenses and the like you mention can be raised by the litigant; they have every right to have an attorney. It's not the judge's job to defend the accused. The point of these courts is to have a quick way to resolve minor disputes in a forum where the litigant can feel comfortable representing themselves if they wish. If you want a 'real' court, you have every right to one.
- danielisaac 7y ago
  This is my lane.
  - lurquer 7y ago
    How so?
- dang 7y ago
  > You are clearly not a lawyer. Stay within your own lane. It's against the site rules to be rude in comments here. Would you mind reviewing https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and sticking to the rules? When someone else is wrong, it's a great help to provide correct information, but please don't break the guidelines while doing so. Your comment would be just fine without those first two sentences.

lurquer 7y ago

You are clearly not a lawyer. Stay within your own lane. South Carolina magistrates handle minor criminal cases where the fine can't exceed $350 or 30 days in jail. Their jurisdiction in civil cases extends to matters involving less that $7500. As noted, if you disagree with the judgment, you get a brand new trial before the elected circuit court judge. There are no convoluted legal mysteries involving whether a tenant had paid rent (the majority of cases) or whether someone was speeding. All of the legal defenses and the like you mention can be raised by the litigant; they have every right to have an attorney. It's not the judge's job to defend the accused. The point of these courts is to have a quick way to resolve minor disputes in a forum where the litigant can feel comfortable representing themselves if they wish. If you want a 'real' court, you have every right to one.

danielisaac 7y ago
This is my lane.
- lurquer 7y ago
  How so?
dang 7y ago
> You are clearly not a lawyer. Stay within your own lane. It's against the site rules to be rude in comments here. Would you mind reviewing https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and sticking to the rules? When someone else is wrong, it's a great help to provide correct information, but please don't break the guidelines while doing so. Your comment would be just fine without those first two sentences.