Magistrates' Court
The Magistrates' Court,is a lower court,which
holds trials for Summary Offences in
England and Wales,and Preliminary Hearings
for the more serious ones.
Some civil matters,are also decided in the
Magistrates' Court notably Family Proceedings.
Almost all proceedings start at a
Magistrates' Court.
CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
The process generally begins with a
'formal criminal charge' (police arrest)
with the person on trial being freed on 'bail'
or being 'incarcerated' and results in the
'conviction or acquittal' of the Defendant.
SUMMARY OFFENCE(S)
are small crimes ie
Public Order Offences of Driving matters
that can be punished under a Magistrates'
Court,that has limited Sentencing Powers.
INDICTABLE OFFENCES
are 'Serious Crimes' ie (Rape or Murder)
if it is found at the initial hearing of the
Magistrates' Court,that there is a case to
answer,the Defendant is committed to
'Crown Court',which has a much wider
range of sentencing powers.
Criminal Court Proceedings
MAGISTRATES' PROCEEDINGS
Bail
Remand
Summons
Summary
Either Way Offences
Committal
Indictment
