Advantages & Disadvantages of Crown Court Trials

Question 1

Adv; Acquittal

Answer 1

• Ds are more likely to be found not guilty at CrC than at MC.
• Only about 15% of Ds plead not guilty in MC are found not guilty in the MC.
• At the CrC, over 60% of Ds are acquitted.

Question 2

Adv; Legal Aid

Answer 2

• In CrC, Ds are more likely to receive legal aid.
• This means the state will be able to pay for their trial to be heard, leading it to be cheaper than it to be heard in MC.

Question 3

Adv; Legal Rep

Answer 3

• Legal rep at CrC must have rights of advocacy giving the right to present cases in court.
• Therefore, it is likely to mean that the lawyer is more experienced in presenting cases in court.

Question 4

Adv; Jury Acquittal and No Shpws

Answer 4

• More likely for V to drop the prosecution against D or where witnesses don’t turn up; no evidence against D.
• This is what happens mostly for acquittals.
• Also, juries acquit about 35% of cases compared to 15% in MC.

Question 5

DisAdv; Delay

Answer 5

• Usually a longer wait for cases to be heard in CrC.

- If D isn’t given bail, the waiting time will be in prison, which could be a while.

Question 6

DisAdv; Stress

Answer 6

• Stress in CrC is a lot more than in MC.

- Cases in CrC take several days whereas MC cases only take half a day.

Question 7

DisAdv; Media

Answer 7

• Cases heard in CrC are more likely to gain media coverage than compared to the MC.

Question 8

DisAdv; Cost

Answer 8

• Cases are a lot more expensive than in the MC.
• If D has to pay out for own lawyers, this can be expensive. In addition, they may be ordered to pay part of the prosecution costs also.

Question 9

DisAdv; Sentencing

Answer 9

• For Ds who are found guilty, judge at CrC can give higher sentences than one in MC.