Criminal Process

Question 1

What are the 3 categories of offences in the English and Welsh legal system?

Answer 1

1. Summary offences
2. Triable either way offences
3. Indictable offences

Question 2

What are the 3 criminal courts?

Answer 2

1. Magistrates Court.
2. Crown Court.
3. Youth Court

Question 3

What are summary offences?

Answer 3

Summary offences are minor offences that can be dealt with in the magistrates court , without the right to a jury trial or indictment.
- e.g. driving without a license, common assault, shoplifting

Question 4

What are indictable offences?

Answer 4

Indictable offences are more serious offences that are dealt with in the Crown Court. They may involve jury trials.
- e.g. rape, murder, manslaughter and robbery.

Question 5

What are ‘triable either way’ offences?

Answer 5

Triable either way offences are offences of medium severity that can be tried in either the crown court or the magistrates court. They may involve jury trials if indicted.
- e.g. theft, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, obtaining property by deception.