1.2 Criminal Courts And Lay People

Question 1

What are the 2 key criminal courts?

Answer 1

Magistrates Court
Crown Court

Question 2

What are the 3 classifications of criminal offences?

Answer 2

Indictable
Triable-either-way
Summary

Question 3

What are indictable offences?

Answer 3

The most serious offences, only tried in Crown Court

Eg - murder, manslaughter, robbery

Question 4

What are triable-either-way offences?

Answer 4

Offences that can be tried in Crown or Magistrates Court

Eg - theft, ABH

Question 5

What are summary offences

Answer 5

Least serious offences, tried in Magistrates Court, 6 months max imprisonment

Eg - common assault, driving without license/insurance

Question 6

Why might there be an adjournment of the trial in summary offences?

Answer 6

• CPS requires more time to prepare
• D wants a solicitor
• If D pleads not guilty and witnesses need to be called

Question 7

How is it decided whether triable-either-way offences are heard in Magistrates or Crown Court?

Answer 7

• Magistrates ask D if they plead guilty or not guilty
• Then a decision is made for which court

Question 8

Who hears indictable offences?

Answer 8

Circuit judge

Question 9

What are the 4 types of sentences?

Answer 9

1. Imprisonment
2. Community sentence
3. Fines
4. Discharge

Question 10

Define lay people

Answer 10

Part of the criminal justice system, either magistrates or juries

Question 11

Define magistrates

Answer 11

Volunteers who work as unpaid judges

Question 12

What are the qualifications to qualify for jury service?

Answer 12

• 18 to 76 years old
• registered as a parliamentary or local government elector
• resided in the UK for 5+ years since 13 years old

Question 13

Advantages of juries

Answer 13

• public confidence
• jury equity
• random selection

Question 14

Disadvantages of juries

Answer 14

• outside influence
• no explanation of verdict
• failure to understand the case
• bias