Criminal Courts

• There are two main criminal courts the magistrates and crown court. Other courts dealing with criminal cases are known as appeal courts and these may deal with civil and criminal cases.
• Jurisdiction of Magistrates

  • Cases heard by magistrates who may be either qualified district judges or unqualified lay justices
  • is also a legally qualified clerk attached to each court to assist the magistrates
• Magistrates Jurisdiction Includes :

  • try all summary cases and triable either way offences which is decided should be dealt with in magistrates court . This accounts for around 97% of criminal trials per year
  • deal with preliminary hearings of any triable either way offence or indictable offences which are to be tried in crown court
• The Crown Court has jurisdiction over all serious crimes, including murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, burglary, theft, fraud, drug trafficking, terrorism, and other major felonies
• Jurisdiction of Magistates is limited . Maximum prison sentence given is 6 months and 12 months for two offences . Can impose fines and other range of penalties such as community orders or conditional discharges.
• Jurisdiction of Crown Court

  • crown court cases are overseen by a judge and jury
  • jurisdiction included hearing all indictable offences and any triable either way offences where magistrates have decided the case is too serious for them or defendant has elected for trial by jury
• Jurisdiction of Crown Court (2)

  • If D pleads or is found guilty they are sentenced by a judge this can be up to life and there is no maximum amount for fines other sentences such as community orders may also be imposed
  • court also hears appeals from the magistrates and the judge can confirm reverse or vary convictions and may increase or decrease the sentence