UNIT 1: SECTION 1B – The Criminal Courts and lay people

Outline of criminal courts and appeal system, including classification of offencesLay magistrates: qualification, selection and appointment; composition of bench; training; role and powers. Jurors: qualification and selection; role.The advantages and disadvantages of using lay people in the criminal courts.

The criminal courts: learning objectives

• You should be able to outline the criminal courts

• Know how the appeal system is included in the criminal court structure

• Know how the offences are classified

England and Wales Court structure

Outline the criminal courts and appeal system

Criminal appeal structure: magistrates court trial Criminal appeal structure: crown court trial

Court for initial trial:

First appeal court

Final appeals

Court for initial trial

First appeal court

Final appeals

The jurisdiction of the magistrates court

• jurisdiction • Magistrates • Criminal cases • There are three broad types of

criminal cases heard by magistrates :• authorising actions

Adult criminal court

•Age of defendant•Court of first instance

Youth court

• ages • magistrates • accommodation • proceedings • determine guilt or innocence • Sentencing powers. • Parents. • youth offending team.• general public.

A typical case in the magistrates court

• Joe, who is 20, is charged with car theft. He tells the police that he did not steal the car, saying that he bought it from someone else, but he cannot produce a receipt or any other documentation. Joe is arrested by the police and appears in court direct from police custody. He has one previous conviction for theft (shoplifting).

What is the difference between a magistrates court and crown court?MAGISTRATES COURT CROWN COURT

• 95% • Determine if D • J of Peace –• Magistrates: • In few courts –• D represented by

solicitor.

• Serious cases • Judge –• Judge & jury • Jury • Barristers• Formal• Cases

What are the types of offences?Category of offence

Place of trial Examples of offences

SUMMARY

TRIABLE EITHER WAY

INDICTABLE

Steven Lawrence murder

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/1999/feb/23/lawrence.ukcrime9

• http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/05/18/stephen-lawrence-two-men-to-face-trial-over-murder-of-black-teenager-18-years-ago-115875-23138605/

Exam question: 10 mark

• Identify the different courts, including appeal courts, that can hear criminal courts involving adults. Outline the types of criminal offences that are dealt with by these courts.

Jan 2009 mark schemeIdentify the different criminal courts, including appeal courts, that can hear criminal casesinvolving adults. Outline the types of criminal offences that are dealt with by these courts.(10 marks)

Potential Content• (A) Identification of Magistrates Courts and outline of offences dealt with could include –summary and either way offences and examples of each. Possible reference totreatment of indictable offences

• (B) Identification of Crown Court and outline of offences dealt with could include – either wayand indictable offences and examples of each. Possible reference to appeals heard inCrown Court and sentencing when Magistrates have insufficient powers

• (C) Identification of appeal courts could include – Court of Appeal and House of Lords with possible identification of QBD Divisional Court. Grounds for appeal by prosecution and defence and orders available to appeal courts

Mark Bands

8 – 10 The candidate deals with (A)-(C) as follows:max 10: two sound, one clearmax 9: two sound, one some or one sound, two clearmax 8: two sound or one sound, one clear, one some or three clear.

5 – 7 The candidate deals with (A)-(C) as follows:max 7: one sound, one clear or one sound, two some or two clear, onesomemax 6: one sound, one some or two clear or one clear, two somemax 5: one sound or one clear, one some or three some.

3 – 4 The candidate demonstrates some understanding of two of (A)-(C) orlimited understanding of (A)-(C).

1 – 2 The answer consists of brief, fragmented comments or examples so thatno coherent explanation and application emergesormistakes and confusion fundamentally undermine a more substantialattempt at explanation and application.

0 The answer contains no relevant information.

Crime recorded by police

Police arrest suspect

Formal caution/ inf. warning

Charge or summon suspect

No further action

CPS receive papers from

police processing

Magistrates court hearing

Magistrates decline jurisdiction or D elects

trial

CPS proceed with charge

CPS discontinue case. No court action

Crown court trial

Summary offencesEither way offences

Indictable offences

Summary trial at magistrates court

What should you be able to do:

• Outline criminal court structure• Describe the jurisdiction of each court• Know how to answer exam questions on

criminal court structure

MAGISTRATES

• LEARNING OBJECTIVES:• KNOW WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED

FOR A MAGISTRATE• HOW THEY ARE SELECTED• HOW THEY ARE APPOINTED• DESCRIBE THE TRAINING, ROLE AND POWERS

OF MAGISTRATES

Lay magistrates• What else are magistrates known as? • Justices of the peace• What qualifications and eligibility are required

to be a magistrate?• Lay magistrate require no special

qualifications• Must have correct personal qualities• Must be able to commit time and effort to

being a magistrate

Crime recorded by police

Police arrest suspect

Formal caution/ inf. warning

Charge or summon suspect

No further action

CPS receive papers from

police processing

Magistrates court hearing

Magistrates decline jurisdiction or D elects

trial

CPS proceed with charge

CPS discontinue case. No court action

Crown court trial

Summary offencesEither way offences

Indictable offences

Summary trial at magistrates court