Criminal Courts Flashcards
How many Magistrates courts are in England and Wales?
Over 150
What are Magistrates courts established as?
Local courts which deal with cases that have a connection with a their geographical area
The magistrastes hearing the case are?
Either be legally qualified district judges (lawyers) or non-qualified lay magistrates (also called justices or justices of the peace)
The magistrates try all…
Summary cases
The magistrates deals with…
All preliminary matters connected to criminal cases
For example, issuing warrants for arrest and deciding bail applications
Where are defendants aged 10-17 tried?
Youth Court
Magistrates deal with the first hearing for all…
Indictable cases which are then sent to the Crown court
Where can triable either way cases be tried in?
Magistrates court or Crown court
How many Crown courts are in England and Wales?
About 92 in different locations
What does the Crown court deal with?
All indictable cases
A judge can sit alone when…
A defendant pleads guilty or pre-trial matters
If the defendant pleads guilty, who decides the sentence?
A judge will decide an appropriate sentence
When a defendant pleads not guilty who will decide the verdict?
A jury
What will the judge do when a defendant pleads not guilty?
Control the court
Rule on relevant issues of law
Direct the jury on the law and evidence
Impose a sentence if the defendant is found guilty
What offences are tried for triable either way?
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) and theft of property over £200
