Southend's Early First Hearings Court begins the day at 10am, and all those who appear before it are expected to plead guilty. A total of 30 cases are heard, though a small amount of that work is shared with court four, the not guilty plea court. Early First Hearings is presided over by three lay magistrates - a chairman (who is actually a woman) and two assistants colloquially known as 'wingers'.
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