(RED) Criminal Courts: Procedure and Appeals Flashcards
What is the least serious type of offence and where will these cases be heard?
Summary offences- in the Magistrates Court.
What is the middle type of offence and where will these cases be heard?
Triable either way and will either be heard in the Magistrates or Crown Court.
What is the most serious type of offence and where will these cases be heard?
Indictable offences- in the Crown Court.
What is the procedure for a guilty plea for a summary offence?
D is charged with a summary offence and appears before a Magistrates Court for a preliminary hearing. D pleads guilty and the Magistrates sentence D to a max of 6 months. They could refer the case to the Crown Court if their powers of sentencing aren’t enough.
What is the procedure for a not guilty plea for a summary offence?
D is charged with a summary offence and appears before a Magistrates Court for a preliminary hearing. D pleads not guilty and the magistrates set a date for trial. They consider whether to grant bail and any conditions to put on it. At the trial, the Magistrates hear all the evidence and reach a verdict. If found guilty, they will sentence D to a max of 6 months. They could refer the case to the Crown Court if their powers of sentencing aren’t enough.
What is the procedure for a guilty plea for a triable either way offence?
D is charged with a triable either way offence. D pleads guilty at the plea before venue hearing in the Magistrates Court. The Magistrates sentence D to a max of 6 months. They could refer the case to the Crown Court if their powers of sentencing aren’t enough.
What is the procedure for a not guilty plea for a triable either way offence?
D is charged with a triable either way offence. D pleads not guilty at the plea before venue hearing in the Magistrates Court. There is then a mode of trial hearing where the Magistrates decide if it is possible for the case to be heard in the Magistrates Court or if it has to go to the Crown. If it is possible then D gets the choice of which court to go to (defendant’s election). If they opt for the Magistrates Court then Magistrates will hear all the evidence and reach a verdict. If guilty, they will sentence D to a max of 6 months (can refer if powers aren’t enough). If Crown Court then there is a case management hearing at the Crown Court where a date is set for trial and bail is decided. At the trial, a jury will decide the verdict and a judge will sentence D if guilty.
What sort of factors are taken into consideration by the Magistrates at a mode of trial hearing?
- Level of seriousness of offence
- Whether their powers of punishment will be enough
- If the case involves complex issues or facts of law
- If there was an abuse of trust
- If the offence was organised by a gang
Why is it cheaper for D to choose to have the trial in the Magistrates Court?
Trial in the Crown Court lasts several days which can be expensive if D is paying for their own lawyers. If D has to pay part of the Prosecution cost this is also greater in the Crown Court than in the Magistrates.
Why is it quicker for D to choose to have the trial in the Magistrates Court?
There is usually a longer wait for the Crown Court (currently 250 days) and if no bail is given, the waiting time is spent in prison. Procedure is also simpler in the Magistrates Court and a trial rarely takes longer than half a day compared to several days in the Crown Court.
Why are limits on sentencing an advantage of choosing the Magistrates Court?
Magistrates can give a max sentence of 6 months for 1 offence or 12 months for 2 or more offences compared to much greater possible sentences in the Crown Court.
Why is local knowledge an advantage of choosing the Magistrates Court?
This can be advantageous in offences like driving incidents if the Magistrates deal with lots of similar offences in an area that is particularly hard to drive in. This means they might be more lenient.
Why is D more likely to be acquitted in the Crown Court?
It is a trial in front of 12 ordinary people who are much more likely to sympathise with the defendant. Juries acquit 35% of the time. Factors like directed acquittals and witnesses not showing up mean 60% of defendants who plead not guilty are acquitted in the Crown Court compared to only 15% in the Magistrates Court.
Why is legal aid an advantage of choosing the Crown Court?
It is very difficult to get legal aid in the Magistrates Court and it can make a big difference to a less well-off defendant.
Why are lawyers at the Crown Court generally more experienced?
The legal representative at the Crown Court must have a certificate of advocacy giving the right to present cases at the Crown Court so has to be well qualified.