Criminal courts

Printable version

1. Magistrates' courts

All criminal cases start in a magistrates바카라 사이트™ court.

Cases are heard by either:

  • 2 or 3 magistrates
  • a district judge

There is not a jury in a magistrates바카라 사이트™ court.

.

Cases a magistrates바카라 사이트™ court deals with

A magistrates바카라 사이트™ court normally handles cases known as 바카라 사이트˜summary offences바카라 사이트™, for example:

  • most motoring offences
  • minor criminal damage
  • common assault (not causing significant injury)

It can also deal with some of the more serious offences, such as:

  • burglary
  • drugs offences

These are called 바카라 사이트˜either way바카라 사이트™ offences and can be heard either in a magistrates바카라 사이트™ court or a Crown Court.

Cases that magistrates pass to the Crown Court

Magistrates바카라 사이트™ courts always pass the most serious crimes to the Crown Court, for example:

  • murder
  • rape
  • robbery

These are known as 바카라 사이트˜indictable offences바카라 사이트™.

Being kept in custody or granted bail

In some cases the magistrates바카라 사이트™ court will decide if you should be kept in custody until your next court hearing, or released on bail.

This may happen if:

  • another court hearing is needed
  • the court needs more information before passing sentence
  • your case is passed to the Crown Court for trial or sentencing

If you바카라 사이트™re released on bail, you might have to follow strict conditions such as keeping away from certain people or places, staying indoors or wearing a tag.

If you do not attend court after being granted bail, you can be put in prison.

Sentences a magistrates바카라 사이트™ court can give

The court can give punishments including:

  • up to 6 months in prison (or up to 12 months in total for more than one offence)
  • a fine
  • a community sentence, like doing unpaid work in the community
  • a ban, for example from driving or keeping an animal

Courts can also give a combination of punishments - for example a fine and unpaid work in the community.

If the court decides your sentence should be for longer than 6 months, it can pass your case to the Crown Court for sentencing.

Appealing your sentence or conviction

You may be able to appeal the magistrates바카라 사이트™ court verdict if you disagree with it.

2. Crown Court

A Crown Court:

  • normally has a jury which decides if you바카라 사이트™re guilty or not (the 바카라 사이트˜verdict바카라 사이트™)
  • has a judge who decides what punishment (or 바카라 사이트˜sentence바카라 사이트™) you get

Your solicitor (if you have one) can explain what happens in court - the judge and court staff will also give instructions about the trial.

.

You can see what cases a court is hearing each day and check their progress on the .

Cases a Crown Court deals with

A Crown Court deals with serious criminal cases, for example:

  • murder
  • rape
  • robbery

It also deals with:

  • appeals against a magistrates바카라 사이트™ court conviction or sentence
  • cases passed from a magistrates바카라 사이트™ court for trial or sentencing

Sentences a Crown Court can give

A Crown Court can give a range of sentences including:

Appealing your sentence or conviction

You may be able to appeal against the Crown Court verdict if you disagree with it.

Asking for a sentence to be reviewed

You can ask for a Crown Court sentence review for certain types of cases if the sentence seems too low. Anyone can ask for a sentence to be reviewed - you do not have to be involved in the case.

3. Youth courts

A youth court is a special type of magistrates바카라 사이트™ court for people aged between 10 and 17.

A youth court has either:

  • 3 magistrates
  • a district judge

There is not a jury in a youth court.

Your parent or guardian must come with you:

  • if you바카라 사이트™re under 16
  • if you바카라 사이트™re 16 to 17 and they바카라 사이트™re given a court order

How youth courts are different from adult courts

Youth courts are less formal than adult courts, for example:

  • members of the public are not allowed in to the court (unless they get permission)
  • you are called by your first name

Cases a youth court deals with

A youth court deals with cases like:

  • theft and burglary
  • anti-social behaviour
  • drugs offences

For serious crimes, like murder or rape, the case starts in the youth court but will be passed to a Crown Court.

Sentences a youth court can give

The court can give a range of sentences including:

Appealing your sentence

If you disagree with the court바카라 사이트™s verdict, you may be able to appeal. Court staff can give you information on how to appeal.