Indictable Offences:
- These are the most serious offences such as murder, **** and robbery. They must be heard in the Crown Court, but the Magistrates' Court deals with the first hearing before sending them to the Crown Court.
A defendant who has been found guilty in the Magistrates' Court has an automatic right to appeal to the Crown Court against the conviction, sentence, or both.
The case will be completely reheard in the Crown Court before a judge and two magistrates. They may confirm the original verdict, reverse the decision or vary the decision to find the defendant guilty of a different offence.
In terms of sentencing, the Crown Court can confirm the sentence, increase it or decrease it, however, they cannot increase it beyond the Magistrates' own powers of sentencing.
Appeals on a point of law go to the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court.
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