Criminal courts and appeals Flashcards
What are the 3 types of criminal offences?
Summary
Either way
Indictable
What are summary offences?
The least serious offences.
E.g minor driving offences and low-level theft.
What court are summary offences heard in?
Magistrates’ court.
What is the harshest punishment for summary offences?
6 months imprisonment or a £5,000 fine.
What are either way offences?
Middle range offences.
E.g burglary and drug offences.
What court are either way offences heard in?
Magistrates’ court or Crown court.
Defendant may have right to choose.
What are indictable offences?
The most serious offences.
E.g murder and manslaughter.
What court are indictable offences heard in?
Crown court.
What are the 2 main criminal courts?
Magistrates’ court and Crown court.
What is a mode of trial?
When the defendant gets to choose if they want their case heard in the magistrates’ or crown court.
What does the work of the magistrates’ court include?
Issuing search and arrest warrants
Granting bail
Hearing cases in youth courts
What does the work of the crown court include?
Hearing some either way offences
Hearing appeals from the magistrates’ court
What is an appeal?
Asking a higher court to change and review the decision of a lower court.
Where are appeals sent?
To higher courts as they have more authority.
