Your Worship!

[xmontrealer]

OK. Slightly long story to make a very short point.

I settled 2 traffic tickets in North York court the other day, by taking an appointment with the Prosecutor to discuss the issues.

On the first ticket I was clearly guilty, caught red-handed using my cell phone while driving my car. The second ticket was for not having the proper renewal tag number sticker attached to my registration. The cop involved erred in not noting that I had been issued a new registration slip with the proper renewal tag number clearly printed on it, but all he said at the time he handed the second ticket to me was "Tell it to the Judge!", despite my immediate objections.

In any case, the Prosecutor was good about it, withdrew the second ticket, and even reduced the fine on the hand-held ticket from $155 to $60 + $20 costs to compensate for the cop's error and my inconvenience in having to take time off from work to contest the second ticket.

Then we went to finalize the matter before the Justice Of The Peace, whom I was astonished to hear addressed by the Prosecutor as "Your Worship". The Justice took an imperious attitude, and made sure I knew that it was up to her to decide whether or not to accept the Prosecutor's recommendations. (She did accept them.) During the process the Prosecutor must have addressed her as "Your Worship" at least 4 or 5 times.

I couldn't believe it, and certainly couldn't bring myself to address her that way myself.

Hey, I have no problem with "Your Honour." But "Your Worship"? Give me a break!

 

[Twister]

Yes , all the prosecutors call them your worship, the ticket guys like xcopper actually leave the room walking backwards and bow to the JP. Some of these JP have huge egos...

 

[afterhours]

Justices of Peace are addressed "Your Worship" and all the higher judges (and they are all higher) are addressed "Your Honour". It's that simple.

 

[MrMessi]

Who cares, you have to suck up to them for a few minutes. No biggy.

They have big ego's because they carry the law in their right pocket.

 

[Twister]

I just looked it up and apparently JP's in the commonwealth are called your worship....

 

[shakenbake]

Justice of the Peace is 'Your Worship'.

 

[Klute]

I was in traffic court at Old City Hall last month. Really great JP kept the docklet moving. The prosecutor made all kinds of fair deals. At least 3 cops did not show so all those cases were dropped. Fines were reduced if someone indicated they would have difficulty paying the fine.

Klute

 

[clules]

Question: How do you become a Justice of the Peace?
Answer: As a lawyer (prosecutor or defense) you "suck up" to the current JP's. by following protocol and calling them "Your Worship" or "Your Honour"

 

[Klute]

I had a tough time addressing one Master in Superior Court as he is known as Master Bator. And there was a Salvation Army Major called Major Dyke. Just try to keep a straight face.

Klute

 

[thompo69]

Question: How do you become a Justice of the Peace?
Answer: As a lawyer (prosecutor or defense) you "suck up" to the current JP's. by following protocol and calling them "Your Worship" or "Your Honour"

No. JPs are (for the most part) not lawyers.

 

[thompo69]

I just looked it up and apparently JP's in the commonwealth are called your worship....

And so are mayors.

 

[NHFL]

Justices of Peace are addressed "Your Worship" and all the higher judges (and they are all higher) are addressed "Your Honour". It's that simple.

+1.

Note, if it means anything, that a Justice of the Peace is lower on the totem pole than a full judge is, even though the way they are addressed seems to be God-Like.

 

[Klute]

A JP is a political appointment to making about 120K a year starting salary.

Klute

 

[Aardvark154]

At least J.P.s functioning as Magistrate Judges in Canada are seemingly better trained than magistrates in much of the State of New York - a state of affairs which is truly appalling, and might as well be the deep south in 1930.

 

[Robinto]

At least J.P.s functioning as Magistrate Judges in Canada are seemingly better trained than magistrates in much of the State of New York - a state of affairs which is truly appalling, and might as well be the deep south in 1930.

Better trained A?
Hard to imagine.
I heard it was a six-week course.
And a law degree isn't necessary. Just a high school education and a relative in the Senate.

 

[great bear]

JP's are for the most part political appointments. Suck a MPP's dick and get appointed.

 

[Aardvark154]

Better trained A?
Hard to imagine.
I heard it was a six-week course.
And a law degree isn't necessary. Just a high school education and a relative in the Senate.

The only thing above that applies to a Magistrate in New York State is "a law degree isn't necessary" So no course, no educational requirement, no legislative approval.

 

[thompo69]

Better trained A?
Hard to imagine.
I heard it was a six-week course.
And a law degree isn't necessary. Just a high school education and a relative in the Senate.

A high school education is not enough to get an appointment. A university degree or college diploma is required. And while a law degree is not necessary, many of them do have law degrees.

 

[Robinto]

A high school education is not enough to get an appointment. A university degree or college diploma is required. And while a law degree is not necessary, many of them do have law degrees.

You're right, but it's preferred, not required. There is a long list of "equivalency" exemptions in Ontario, including honorary degrees, "internet" degrees, and finally, "If he or she clearly demonstrates exceptional qualifications, including life experience, but does not have the educational requirements set out in clauses (15) (a) to (d). 2006, c. 21, Sched. B, s. 3."

Ultimately, they want basic literacy, enough to make it through their six-week course, and enough political juice to win their appointment.

And I don't know about your use of the word "many." Perhaps some. But what does many mean? Ten-percent? Or is it possible that you have no idea at all?

 

[anonemouse]

And so are mayors.

It isn't that I don't believe you, but I looked this up to see if it was a subtle Rob Ford joke.

It isn't, when speaking to a mayor you can (should?) call them "your worship". I doubt Hazel Mccallion would insist on it, but others might.