In this article
The Crown Court is the court that deals with serious criminal offences in the UK. Surprisingly, in 2019, the Crown Court received 104,000 cases.
If you’re facing a criminal charge which is being heard at the Crown Court, please don’t hesitate to visit our criminal defence page or contact one of our solicitors directly on 020 3007 5500.
What is the Crown Court?
The Crown Court deals with the most serious criminal cases, such as murder and rape. The Crown Court breaks down offences into three classes, depending on the seriousness of the crime. These classes are:
- Class 1. This class covers the most serious offences such as treason and murder.
- Class 2. This class includes offences such as rape.
- Class 3. This class covers the least serious of Crown Court cases, including kidnapping, robbery, burglary, etc.
What are the 3 types of criminal offences?
The court your case is heard in depends on the type of criminal offence you’re facing. There are three types of criminal offences in the UK, which are:
Summary offences – These types of crimes are usually less severe and are heard only in the Magistrates’ Court.
Either-way offences – These offences are usually more severe and can be heard in either the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court.
Indictable only offences – These types of criminal offences are the most severe and can only be heard in the Crown Court.
Are you facing a criminal matter?
A criminal conviction can have serious implications on your life and reputation. Therefore, you should legal advice immediately.
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020 3007 5500
What cases go to the Crown Court?
Some examples of cases the Crown Court deals with include:
- Rape
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent
- Death by dangerous driving
- Robbery
Additionally, the Crown Court also deals with:
- Criminal cases passed on from the Magistrates’ Court as they’re more serious offences.
- Appeals against a Magistrates’ Court conviction or sentence.
What’s the difference between the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court?
The severity of the offence you’re facing a charge for determines whether your case goes to the Crown Court or the Magistrates’ Court. There are some key differences outlined below:
Magistrates’ Court
Almost all criminal cases start in the Magistrates’ Court. At the Magistrates’ Court, your trial will be heard either by a District Judge or Magistrates. Magistrates are ordinary people who volunteer and undergo training. Your case will not be dealt with by a jury.
The Magistrates’ Court deals with less serious criminal offences, such as:
- Minor criminal damage
- Most motoring offences, for example, speeding offences
- Drunk and disorderly behaviour
- Most drug offences
Most criminal cases also finish in the Magistrates’ Court. Only when a case is considered more serious is it passed onto the Crown Court.
Crown Court
As highlighted above, the Crown Court only deals with the most severe criminal offences or appeals against the Magistrates’ Court.
In the Crown Court you will normally be trialed by a jury who decides whether you’re guilty or not and a judge who decides on your sentence.
What happens if you plead guilty in the Crown Court?
In the Crown Court, there are only two ways you can be convicted of an offence. These two ways include:
- Pleading guilty
- Being found guilty following a trial
If you decide to plead guilty to an offence, you’ll be convicted for that offence. Therefore, there will be no need for the trial to proceed
Remember...
Before taking a guilty plea, you must discuss it with a solicitor first. It’s essential to understand precisely what you’re pleading guilty to and whether you have any potential defences. For example, suppose you seriously injured someone after they hit you with a cricket bat first. In that case, you may be able to argue self-defence.
What if the offender is below the age of 18?
All the information above only applies to people over the age of 18. For youths (people below the age of 18), different rules apply to their trials.
A youth will most likely face trial in a Youth Court, which is similar to Magistrates’ Court, but it caters to younger people. Furthermore, a Youth Court places restrictions on public access to the courtroom and what can be reported.
Furthermore, youths don’t have the right to face trial by jury unless in extreme circumstances where a youth can face trial by jury in the Crown Court. The most common reasons for this happening include:
- The youth is facing a more serious criminal charge, such as murder or manslaughter.
- The youth is facing a joint charge with an adult.
How much does a Crown Court trial cost?
Crown Court cases can be expensive when it comes to legal fees. However, instructing an experienced criminal defence solicitor is essential in giving you the best possible chance of success in clearing your name. With criminal cases, our solicitors can provide the following:
- Representation during questioning
- Advice of taking plea deals
- Applications for bail
- Trial preparation
- Court representation
- Appeal applications, where necessary
A Crown Court case will usually cost between the region of £15,000 + VAT to £30,000 + VAT. However, the cost highly depends on a case-by-case basis. Factors such as the type of criminal offence and the strength of your evidence can significantly alter the amount of work needed and, therefore, the cost.
What if you’re facing a charge?
A criminal conviction can have a significant impact on your life and reputation. Therefore, by contacting a criminal defence solicitor with experience in this area of law, you can ensure that you have the best possible chance of success. In any criminal case, our solicitors will always first require an initial consultation. In this initial consultation, you will get the following:
- Unlimted time to discuss the details of your case and ask any questions you may have.
- An overview of your legal standpoint and available options.
- Upfront time and fee estimate for your case.
To contact our solicitors, please give us a call on 020 3007 5500.
Everything I have found discusses the defendant. I want to know who deals with the death of a person left in a room in a nursing home with no assistant and fell subsequently dying from a fractured skull. There have been a number of cases relating to lack of care involving shortage of staff ie scalding etc.
I am unable to use internet due to malfuntion of computer. I am therefore arranging for my daughter to act on my behalf. She will contact you shortly. Do not use the email below. This is only to make contact from me ntil my e mail is functioning.
Hi found you on line. Just wondering have you came across minor theft going to jury trial? Locally a £2 plastic sign alleged theft is going to jury trial. Is this possible?
Hello, thank you for your question. If you wish to discuss a case with us, please enquire with our client care team on 020 3007 5500 or [email protected]
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