1. Magistrates' Court:
- Court of first instance for all indictable and triable either way cases where the Magistrates' deem their sentencing powers sufficient and the defendent doesn't demand trial by jury.
- Sentencing powerrs of up to 6 months in jail and/or up to a £5,000 fine.
- Consists of 3 Magistrates' who aren't legally qualified, but trained and guided by a legally qualified clerk.
2. Crown Court:
- Court of first instance for cases where the Magistrates' deem their sentencing powers insufficient and/or the defendent demands trial by jury.
- Sentencing powers are only limited by the offence [e.g. murder = minimum of life sentence].
- A judge and a 12-person jury hear the cases.
- Hears appeals against deisions of the Magistrates'.
3. Queen's Bench Divisional Court
- Only 1 criminal capacity; to hear appeals on points of law [where the defendent feels the law has been misinterpreted or applied wrongly from the Magistrates' Court.
- They will clarify the law then either confirm, vary or reverse the decision or or send it back to the Magistrates' to readjudicate.
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