paper 1 section a: criminal courts & lay people

Question 1

summary offence

Answer 1

• tried in magistrates’
• verdict is decided by bench of magistrates or a district judge
• sentence decided by magistrates or district judge who decided the verdict
  example: common assault

Question 2

triable offence

Answer 2

• tried in magistrates or crown (depends on D’s wishes & whether magistrates accept jurisdiction based on sentence being within 6 months)
• verdict decided by magistrates/district judge or by jury in crown court
• sentence decided by the magistrates/district judge or by a judge (recorder/circuit judge) in crown court
  example: theft

Question 3

indictable offence

Answer 3

• tried in crown court
• verdict decided by jury
• sentence decided by judge (circuit/high court judge)
  example: s.18 GBH with intent