2. Bail Applications at Court, First Hearings Before the Magistrates, Plea Before Venue, and Case Management and Pre-Trial Hearings Flashcards

1
Q

As defendants have a general right to bail, what two things are required to remand a defendant in custody at a court hearing?

A
  1. Exception to the right to bail must apply, and
  2. Real prospect of custodial sentence being imposed
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2
Q

What are six of the exceptions to the right to bail?

A
  1. Substantial grounds for believing D will fail to surrender, commit further offences, or interfere with witnesses
  2. D charged with offence triable in Crown Court and was on bail at the time of commission
  3. Custody for their own protection
  4. Already serving a sentence
  5. Insufficient information to make a decision on bail
  6. D has failed to surrender in the same proceedings previously
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3
Q

Only whom can hear a bail application for a murder charge?

A

Crown Court Judge

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4
Q

What must be shown in order for a defendant charged with murder to secure bail?

A

No significant risk that they defendant would commit an offence likely to cause physical or mental injury to another person

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5
Q

How often must a court consider bail?

A

At each hearing

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6
Q

However, only how many times many a defendant make a further application on the same facts and submissions?

A

One additional time

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7
Q

Thereafter, what is required for a defendant to make an additional bail application?

A

Change of circumstance, relating to the case generally or defendant

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8
Q

What is allowed to happen if a defendant breaches their bail conditions?

A

They can be arrested without a warrant

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9
Q

What happens at the first court hearing in the Magistrates where the offence is (1) summary only, (2) either way, or (3) indictable only?

A
  1. Summary: D pleads guilty or not guilty
  2. Either way: Court proceeds to plea before venue process
  3. Indictable: Matter is sent immediately to the Crown Court for trial
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10
Q

For summary only offence, what happens if the defendant’s plea is (1) guilty and (2) not guilty?

A

Guilty: Court proceeds immediately to sentencing
Not guilty: Court will set a trial date for six to eight weeks later

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11
Q

Whose decision alone is the plea, and who must never instruct this?

A

The defendant’s alone, and the solicitor should never tell D how to plead

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12
Q

What is the two part test for a representation order, i.e. to receive legal aid?

A
  1. Means test
  2. Interests of justice test
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13
Q

Net income (after deductions and adjustments) over what amount will not satisfy the means test for criminal legal aid?

A

£3,398

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14
Q

What is plea before venue?

A

Procedure where defendant appears at the Magistrates Court charged with an either way offence

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15
Q

What are the three advantages of electing for the Magistrates Court?

A
  1. Limited sentencing powers
  2. Relative speed and low cost
  3. Less stringent disclosure requirements
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16
Q

What are the three advantages of electing for the Crown Court?

A
  1. Higher rates of acquittal
  2. More effective process for challenging admissibility of evidence
  3. Longer delay before trial, making gathering evidence more practical
17
Q

If the defendant at a plea before venue pleads not guilty or gives no indication, what must the Magistrates decide, and what two factors will they consider in doing so?

A

Whether the offence can be dealt with in the Magistrates Court, or if the Crown Court is more appropriate, considering:

  1. D’s previous convictions
  2. Whether the court’s sentencing powers are adequate to deal with the conduct alleged
18
Q

When deciding their plea, the defendant can request an indication as to what, and what is this known as?

A

Whether the sentence would be custodial or non-custodial if they were to plead guilty (but the court is under no obligation to provide this indication).

A Goodyear indication.

19
Q

If an indication is given, and the defendant then pleads guilty, is the court bound to follow what they said?

A

Yes

20
Q

If an indication is given, and the defendant maintains their not-guilty plea, is the court bound to follow what they said?

A

No

21
Q

What two standard case management directions are given in Magistrates Court?

A
  1. Prosecution must serve its evidence and any intention to adduce bad character evidence within 28 days
  2. Defence must serve a defence statement (if they are serving one) within 14 days, and notify which prosecution witness are required to attend trial within 7 days of this service
22
Q

One of what five things will trigger the requirement for a preliminary hearing to be held within 14 days of an indictable only matter being sent to the Crown Court?

A
  1. Trial likely to last more than 4 weeks
  2. Case management problems to address
  3. Early trial date is needed
  4. Defendant is a minor
  5. Likely to be an early guilty plea
23
Q

Within what time of the case being sent from Magistrates does plea and trial preparation hearing (arraignment) take place in the Crown Court?

A

28 days

24
Q

In the Crown Court, within what time limit must prosecution complete disclosure, and what is this extended to if defendant is on bail?

A

50 days. 70 days if D on bail.

25
Q

What is the prosecution also under an ongoing duty to disclose?

A

Any unused material which might reasonably be considered capable of undermining the case for the prosecution or assisting the defence

26
Q

After the prosecution has made disclosure, how long does the defence have to serve a defence case statement on the prosecution and the court?

A

28 days