Section B (criminal process - criminal courts )

Question 1

crown court role

Answer 1

• deals with serious criminal cases and passes sentence on the case and also hears appeals from magistrates court

Question 2

types of offences

Answer 2

1- summary offences- less serious offences must be heard in magistrates court e.g minor criminal offence
2- triable either way offences- medium level offences e.g ABH
either way offences - deciding whether the case should be heard.
- if defendants plead guilty - no right to ask for the case to be heard at magistrates court could be at crown court.
- if plead not guilty- magistrates must carry out mode of trial proceedings ( magistrates will decide whether the case is suitable for magistrates court)
3- indictable offences are serious offence e.g murder or man slaughter

Question 3

advantages and disadvantages of trial in crown court

Answer 3

1- professional legal advice however may wait for the long time for the trial.
2- more likely to get legal aid however could be expensive
3-