Cases

Virtually all criminal cases start in the Magistrates' courts. The less serious offences are handled entirely in the Magistrates court. Over 95% of all cases are dealt with in this way. The more serious offences are passed on to the Crown Court, to be dealt with by a judge and jury.

Magistrates deal with three kinds of cases and depending the matter which you are charged with the following will apply:

• Summary offences.
• Either-way offences.
• Indictable-only offences.

The Crown Court deals with more serious criminal cases such as murder, rape or robbery, some of which are on appeal or referred from Magistrates' courts.

• Indictable-only offence
• Either-way offences transferred from the Magistrates' Court;
• Appeals against Conviction or sentence from the Magistrates' Court;
• Sentencing decisions transferred from the Magistrates' Court. This can happen if magistrates decide, once they have heard the details of a case that it warrants a tougher sentence than they are allowed to impose.
• If the defendant is found not guilty, they are discharged and no conviction is recorded against their name.
• Trials are heard by a Judge and a 12 person jury. Members of the public are selected for jury service or may have to go to court as witnesses.

The Crown Court is based at 77 centers across England and Wales.

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