Crown CourtBy: Sara Brown Matthew YoungbloodAmber AycockStefanie Van DegnaCarolina Rizzo Sabrina Fearon

Crown Courts Deal With: Serious criminal crimes

Cases sent for trial by magistrates’ courts because the offences can only be heard by the Crown Court “Either way” offences (which can be heard in a

magistrate court but can also be sent to the crown court if the defendant chooses a trial by jury)

Defendants convicted in magistrate courts, but sent to the crown court for sentencing due to the seriousness of the offence Appeals against decisions of magistrate courts

JuriesJuries are summoned for criminal trials in the crown court where the offence is an indictable offence or an offence that can be tried either way, which has been sent to the crown court after magistrates.

Summary offences are tried by magistrates and there is no right of crown court trial jury.

Judge Judge decides on matters of Law during the trial

(as severe as the crime deserves). Such as what evidence is to be presented. The judge makes sure trial proceeds in a fair

way.At the end of the trial if the defendant is found guilty the judge then decides the sentence for the crime.

Based on how serious the crime is there will be either a High Court or Circuit Judge.

Seriousness of OffenseClass 1 offences are the most serious. They include treason and murder, and are generally heard by a High Court Judge

Class 2 offences include rape, and are usually heard by a circuit judge, under the authority of the presiding judge

Class 3 includes all other offences, such as kidnapping, burglary, grievous bodily harm and robbery, which are normally tried by a circuit judge or recorder

LawyerLawyers are crown prosecutors and crown advocates, who prepare and prosecute the case on the crown courts behalf.

Lawyers have a legal obligation to ensure that someone from the crown prosecution service is introduced to you at court and answers your questions.

Extra InformationSees a small percentage of cases (about 5%)

Most famous crown building is called central criminal court building is called Old Bailey and is in London.

The average waiting time is around 10 weeks

At the conclusion of the hearing the crown court has the power to confirm, reverse or vary any part of the decision under appeal.