crown court

• What established the crown court?

  The Courts Act 1971
• What is the current jurisdiction of the crown court based on?

  The Supreme Court 1981
• What are the four basic duties of the crown court?

  • Try serious, indictable criminal offences
  • Conduct jury trials for serious offences
  • Hear appeals from the magistrates’ court
  • Sentence defendants referred from magistrates’ court
• What happens if a defendant pleads guilty in the crown court?

  No jury is needed; the judge sentences alone
• What type of offences does the crown court conduct jury trials for?

  Most serious offences where the defendant pleads not guilty
• What types of appeals does the crown court hear?

  Appeals from the magistrates’ court, usually summary offences
• When does the crown court sentence defendants from the magistrates’ court?

  When a greater sentence than magistrates' powers is needed
• What is the trial process in the crown court?

  1. Prosecution delivers opening speech
  2. Prosecution calls and examines witnesses
  3. Defence cross-examines witnesses
  4. Prosecution may re-examine witnesses
  5. Defence can submit no case to answer
  6. Defence calls witnesses and examines them
  7. Prosecution cross-examines defence witnesses
  8. Closing speeches by both sides
  9. Judge sums up for jury

  10. Jury/magistrates retire for verdict
• What is the purpose of the prosecution's opening speech?

  To outline the facts of the case
• What can the defence submit after the prosecution presents its evidence?

  That there is no case to answer
• What happens if the defence's submission of no case to answer is successful?

  A verdict of not guilty is directed
• What is the order of closing speeches in the trial?

  The prosecution goes first, defence last
• What does the judge do in the crown court during closing speeches?

  Summarizes legal and factual issues for the jury
• What is the aim of the jury/magistrates when they retire?

  To reach a unanimous verdict
• What happens if the defence is found not guilty?

  They are acquitted
• What is a sentence in legal terms?

  The punishment given for a conviction
• What does a charge refer to in legal terms?

  The decision to stand trial for an offence
• What are the characteristics of young offenders in the legal system?

  • Aged between 10-17
  • Tried for all offences in youth court
  • Youth court has specially trained magistrates
  • Youth court sits in private with less formality
• What is the composition of the youth court?

  Specially trained and experienced magistrates
• When does the youth court have more formality?

  If the offence carries a penalty of 14 years+
• What happens if a young person is charged jointly with an adult?

  The youth court has more formality