summary offences

• there is a case management system that aims to complete the case at the earliest opportunity. at the first hearing, the clerk of the court will check the defendant's name and address and take the plea- guilty or not guilty. herre over 90% of defendants will plead guilty.
• Whether or not the defendant has legal representation, the magistrates will proceed to consider a sentence if the defendant pleads guilty. A sentencing hearing will hear the brief facts of the offence from the prosecution and any statements the defendant wishes to make. the magistrates will then decide and announce their sentence.
• In some minor driving offences, the defendnat can plead guilty by post so attendance at court is unnecessary.
• If the defendnat pleads not guilty then the magistrates will try to discover issues involved and set a date for trial
• the defendant has no right to request a hearing at the crown court, but the case can be sent there by magistrates if they consider they have insufficient sentencing powers.