Criminal Appeals Flashcards
Where are the 2 appeal routes from the Magistrates court?
Crown Court or the QBD of the High Court
Who can appeal to the Crown Court from the magistrates?
Only the defence
If the defendant pleaded guilty at the Magistrates court what can the appeal against at the crown court?
Only their sentence
If the defendant pleaded not guilty at the Magistrates court what can the appeal against at the crown court?
Their sentence and conviction
What happens when the appeal gets to the crown court?
It is completely re-heard by a judge and 2 magistrates
What can the judge and 2 magistrates do at the crown court?
Either uphold or reverse the decision
Can the crown court increase or decrease the sentence?
Yes, but not beyond the maximum powers of the magistrates court
Where are case stated appeals usually heard?
Within the QBD
Who can use the route of appealing to the QBD?
The prosecution and defence
Where do the appeals to the QBD come from?
Either straight from magistrates or from the crown court
What do case stated appeals only question?
Points of law
Who are case stated appeals heard by?
2 or 3 high court judges
Who does not attend a case stated appeal?
Witnesses
What do case stated appeals challenge at the QBD?
The magistrates misapplying the law
What can case stated appeals not challenge?
The sentence
What can the high court QBD do with the decision?
Uphold, vary or reverse it
If the appeal to the QBD in a case stated case is against an acquittal what can the court do?
Send it back to the magistrates to implement the correct legal decision
Who can you appeal to if you do not agree with the QBD’s decision?
The supreme court
When can you only appeal to the supreme court?
If the QBD certifies their is a point of law of general public importance
or If the QBD can give leave to the appeal because the point of law is one which should be considered by the supreme court