Crown Court
Because of the seriousness of offences tried in the Crown Court, these trials take place with a judge and jury.
The Crown Court deals with:
- Indictable-only offences such as murder, manslaughter, rape and robbery;
- Either-way offences transferred from the Magistrates' Court;
- Appeals from the Magistrates' Court;
- Sentencing decisions transferred from the Magistrates' Court. This can happen if magistrates decide, once they have heard the details of a case, that it warrants a tougher sentence than they are allowed to impose.
If the defendant is found not guilty, they are discharged and no conviction is recorded against their name.