Criminal Courts Flashcards
What is the name of the organisation responsible for the courts and tribunals in England/Wales?
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Where are all cases heard in the first instance?
Magistrates Court
What is Magistrates Court?
Handles ‘summary offences’
All criminal cases start in a Magistrates court
Cases are heard by either: two or three magistrates court or a district judge
What type of offences are dealt in the Magistrate Court?
‘Summary’ offences (less serious offences)
Triable-either-way
Include motoring offences and assaults without injury
Who decides on guilt and passes sentence in the Magistrates Court?
Magistrates
District judge
What is the Crown Court?
Deals with triable-either-way offences and indictable offences
Judge and jury
What type of offences are dealt in the Crown Court?
Triable-either-way offences
Indictable offences
Includes murders, rapes and robberies
What is meant by the term adversarial system?
Two-sided structure, under which criminal trial courts operate, putting the prosecution against the defence
Who decides guilt in the Crown Court?
The jury deliberate and decide a verdict
Expected to give a unanimous verdict
Judge can accept a majority 10-2 verdict
Who passes sentence in the Crown Court?
The judge
