Plea before Venue

Question 1

What type of offences does the plea before venue process apply to?

Answer 1

Either way offences

Question 2

In this process, if D indicates a guilty plea, the court proceeds to _______

If D indicates a not guilty plea or doesn’t give one, the court proceeds to __________

Answer 2

Sentence

Allocation

Question 3

The court accepts jurisdiction if it thinks the Magistrates Court has sufficient _________ power

If the Magistrates decline jurisdiction, it will be sent to _____ Court for trial

Answer 3

sentencing, Crown

Question 4

If the Magistrates Court accepts jurisdiction, D will be told they may have to elect to have the matter heard in the ________ Court without a jury (aka a _______ trial) or in the _____ Court before a jury (aka a trial on ________)

Answer 4

Magistrates, summary, Crown, indictment

Question 5

If D asks for an indication of whether a sentence would be custodial or not, does the court have to give one?

What happens if they do and D changes their plea to guilty?

Answer 5

No

The court is bound to follow this indication in sentencing

Question 6

Theft cases worth less than what amount are treated as a summary only offence, in which the Magistrates Court cannot decline jurisdiction?

Answer 6

£200

Question 7

Can D still elect a Crown Court trial for a theft offence worth less than £200?

Answer 7

Yes