Overview of Criminal Procedure Flashcards
Court hierarchies and functions, overriding objective, classification of offences
What are the 3 classes of offence?
Summary; Either Way; Indictable
Interpretation Act 1978 sch. 1
Has definitions of the 3 classes of offences
What should be remembered about the term “Indictable offences” in Acts?
Provisions related to indictable offences should be understood to include either way offences
s. 40 CJA 1988
Summary Offences can appear on an indictment when linked to a greater indictable offence
What offences fall under s. 40 CJA 1988?
taking a motor vehicle without consent, disqualified driving, common assault and criminal damage less then £5k
Are attempts, aiding and abetting etc triable either way?
Yes - if the substantive offence is too (CAA 1981 s. 4(1)(c))
Characterise the Crown Court
Created by the Senior Courts Act 1971 as a single court with “branches”
How is the crown court organised throughout the jurisdiction?
by geography and a three-class status system for severity of trial
How do crown and high courts differ?
CC decisions not related to trial on indictment may be challenged in high courts.
(ss. 28(2) and 29(3) 1981 Act)
In what ways are the crown court and high court similar?
They’re both senior courts and superior courts of record. They both have contempt and enforcement powers. (SCA 1981, s. 45)
What is a senior/resident judge in a crown court responsible for?
Distribution of work and court administration
SCA 1981, s. 8
high court, district, circuit judges, recorders and qualifying judge advocates have jurisdiction in crown court
SCA 1981, s. 46(1)?
the crown court has exclusive jurisdiction over indictment trials WHEREVER (s.46(2)) they are committed.
What are the exceptions to crown court proceedings being heard by a single judge?
where justices sit with the judge, where magistrates deal with pre-trial matters.
(s.73(1) SCA 1981)
How do crown court decisions work when a judge is with justices?
decisions must be by majority. The judge can be outvoted, but where opinion is split retains the deciding vote.
What should a crown court judge sat with justices ensure?
That he consults and announces that he has consulted the justices.
What are interlocutory decisions?
Interlocutory decisions are decisions about the admissibility of evidence.
MCA 1980, s. 108
Someone who pleaded not guilty and was convicted by a magistrates court may appeal to the crown court against conviction and or sentence. Someone who pleaded guilty may only appeal against sentence.
4 circumstances where the crown court MAY grant bail before or during trial on indictment?
someone in custody for trial or sentencing, someone appealing bail from magistrates, someone appealing to CoA, someone remanded by magistrates.
What summary offences does the crown court have jurisdiction over per CJA 1988, s.40?
???? can’t find the answer
Courts Act 2003, s.66?
gives crown court judges powers of district judges so a CC case wouldn’t need sending back to magistrates for “lesser” decisions.
Who sits in a magistrates court?
Justices of the Peace/Magistrates and district judges
What statutes contain the law on justices and magistrates courts?
Courts Act 2003 and MCA 1980
MCA 1980, s. 148(1)?
the expression “magistrates’ court” means any justice or justices of the peace acting under any enactment or by virtue of his or their commission or under the common law.
MCA 1980, s. 148(2)?
where proceedings in magistrates courts have distinct stages, each stage need not constitute the same justices - must only be in the same local justice area.
MCA 1980, s. 2(1)
magistrates courts have jurisdiction to try any summary and some either way offences irrespective of where it is committed.
When can magistrates try either way offences by adults?
if the offence is not so serious that their powers of punishment upon conviction would be inadequate, and if the accused agrees. (MCA 1980, ss. 18-21).
What is the maximum punishment a magistrates court can give?
Anything up to 12 months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Where can you find the definition of a youth court?
MCA 1980, s.24
What can happen to either way convictions at magistrates court?
SA 2020, s.14: offender may be committed to the crown court if magistrates consider their punishment powers after conviction to be inadequate.
What are magistrates powers regarding indictable offences
magistrates may send the accused of an either way or indictable offence to the crown court regardless of where the offence was committed.
What manages most appeals against conviction and sentence?
The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) using statutory powers.
Senior Courts Act 1981, s. 15(2)?
Enables the exercise of statutory powers of appeal by the court of appeal?
ss. 1-2 Criminal Appeal Act 1968?
grants the CoA jurisdiction to determine appeals against conviction on indictment.
ss 9 and 11 Criminal Appeal Act 1968?
gives CoA jurisdiction on appeals against sentence passed after conviction on indictment.
ss 10-11 Criminal Appeal Act 1968?
grants CoA jurisdiction to determine appeals against sentence passed on a committal for sentence.
s. 36 Criminal Justice Act 1972?
gave CoA jurisdiction to give opinion on a point of law referred to them by the A-G after an acquittal on indictment.
s. 9(11)-(14) Criminal Justice Act 1987?
Gave CoA jurisdiction to determine appeals against rulings made at preparatory hearings in serious fraud cases.
ss. 35-36 Criminal Justice Act 1988?
grants CoA jurisdiction to increase sentences on indictment only offences referred for undue leniency by the AG.
s. 9 Criminal Appeal Act 1995?
Gives CoA jurisdiction to determine appeals on reference from CCRC.
Bogglid [2011]?
CoA cannot hear appeals against refusals to make football banning orders.
ss 33-34 Criminal Appeal Act 1968?
Prosecution and defence may both appeal CoA to UKSC but ONLY if the courts think there is a point of law or public importance.
What must an appeal to UKSC from CoA contain in order to be accepted?
Must be considered to concern a point of law of general public importance by UKSC or CoA.
What is the time limit on appealing a CoA decision?
leave to appeal to UKSC must be made no more than 28 days after the decision or reasons for decision are given by CoA (Whichever is later).
when does the time limit for leave to appeal begin to count down?
the 28 day period of leave to appeal to UKSC begins on the day OF decision, not the day after.
Where can you find the procedural rules for making an application to CoA for leave to appeal to UKSC?
CrimPR Part 43.W (2023 text).
What should be remembered about the UKSC?
UKSC has no power to make representation orders.