criminal courts

• What are summary offences?

  Offences that can only be tried in the Magistrates' Court.
• What are examples of summary offences?

  • Nearly all driving offences.
  • Common assault.
  • Criminal damage under £5000.
  • Shoplifting where the value is under £200.
• What are triable-either-way offences?

  Offences that can be tried in either the Magistrates' Court or the Crown Court.
• What are examples of triable-either-way offences?

  • Theft
  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
• What has to be done in order to decide which court a triable-either-way offence should be heard in?

  The defendant is asked whether they are pleading guilty or not guilty.
• Which court is a triable-either-way offence tried in if the defendant pleads guilty?

  The case is heard by the magistrates.
• Which court is a triable-either-way offence heard in if the defendant pleads not guilty?

  The defendant has the right to ask for the case to for the case to be tried at the Crown Court by a jury.
• When can the magistrates decide to send a case to the Crown Court?

  When the case is too serious.
• What do magistrates do when the case is too serious?

  Send the case to the Crown Court.
• What are indictable offences?

  Offences that can only be tried in the Crown Court.
• What are examples of indictable offences?

  • Murder
  • Manslaughter
  • Rape
• How is the Magistrates' Court involved with indictable offences?

  The first preliminary hearing will be at the Magistrates' Court, but then will be transferred to the Crown Court and jury.