Criminal courts

• magistrates court 


  hears summary offences and some triable either way offences. Sentencing powers are limited to 6 months imprisonment (12 for 2 offences) and/or unlimited fine
• crown court

  hears triable either way and indictable offences. Judge sits - unlimited sentencing powers
• appeals from mags court 


  defence - appeal made to crown against conviction/sentence. If against PoL, King's bench division of high court

  defence and prosecution - case stated appeal, kings bench division of high court. Can go to the supreme court if PoL is of public importance
• appeals from crown court 


  defence can appeal to court of appeal against conviction or sentence

  prosecution can appeal if sentence too lenient and to quash an acquittal
• summary offences - less serious offences dealt in the mags court usually in first hearing. D asked to plea guilty or not guilty

  (driving offences, criminal damage under £5000)
• triable wither way offences - tried at mags or crown court depending on circumstance, can be summary or indictable

  (assault, abh, theft)
• indictable offences - most serious type of offences and are tried at crown court (robbery, rape)