criminal courts system

Magistrates 

First port of call for all criminal cases. Magistrates have jurisdication over all summary cases for example shoplifting, criminal damage and triable either way cases for example ABH, theft. The magistrates review the cases deal with preliminary issues such as bail, funding, warrants and send the indictable offences to Crown Court this is called a mode of trial hearing. If a trial is held in the magistrates it can still be passed to the Crown Court for sentencing, as magistrates have limited sentencing powers - 6months/£5000 fine.

Crown 

Has jurisdication over indictable offences such as murder. Also deals with triable either way offences where a defendant has chosen a trial by jury.

Appeals

an appeal is to challenge a decision made by a court, the convicted defendant must be given leave to appeal…