Violence in hospitals is a regular occurence says Unison
The health union Unison made the call following a court case in which a woman was fined only £50 for an attack on a receptionist at a Norfolk hospital.
The union's East Anglian regional officer John Toomey believes magistrates should have a better understanding of the problems staff have to deal with.
Latest figures show there are 65,000 attacks every year on NHS staff in England.
Mr Toomey called on magistrates to spend a Friday or Saturday night in a hospital accident and emergency department.
"It is not enough to sit on the bench and hear issues in a dispassionate way," he told BBC News Online.
"Violence in hospitals is a regular occurence. Someone drunk or on drugs who assaults someone should have the book thrown at them.
"Violence has an impact not only on staff, but also on patients."
New guidelines
The Unison statement follows a case at King's Lynn Magistrates Court in February when a woman pleaded guilty to attacking a receptionist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn.
In December last year the government introduced new guidelines to help protect NHS staff.
Managers were told they had the right to withhold treatment "as a last resort" if staff are threatened, unless the condition is life-threatening.
Violent incidents
One in six people attending accident and emergency departments have alcohol-related injuries or problems, rising to eight out of 10 during peak times such as weekends and holidays.
Of the 65,000 violent incidents against NHS trust employees each year, 64% involve nursing staff.
Around the country, hospitals are adopting a "zero tolerance" policy towards abusive and violent patients.
Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham has started using court injunctions and anti-social behaviour orders.
Three people have already been served with such orders, banning them from hospitals unless they need life-saving treatment.
Patients who break the injunctions face being jailed.