All criminal cases start in a magistrates’ court. Cases are heard by either: 2 or 3 magistrates a district judge There is not a jury in a magistrates’ court. Find your local magistrates’ court . Cases a magistrates’ court deals with A magistrates’ court normally handles cases known as ‘summary offences’, for example: most motoring offences minor criminal damage common assault (not causing significant injury) It can also deal with some of the more serious offences, such as: burglary drugs offences These are called ‘either way’ offences and can be heard either in a magistrates’ court or a Crown Court. Cases that magistrates pass to the Crown Court Magistrates’ courts always pass the most serious crimes to the Crown Court, for example: murder rape robbery These are known as ‘indictable offences’. Being kept in custody or granted bail In some cases the magistrates’ court will decide if you should be kept in custody until your next court hearing, or released on bail. This may happen if: another court hearing is needed the court needs more information before passing sentence your case is passed to the Crown Court for trial or sentencing If you’re released on bail, you might have to follow strict conditions such as keeping away from certain people or places, staying indoors or wearing a tag. If you do not attend court after being granted bail, you can be put in prison. Sentences a magistrates’ court can give The court can give punishments including: up to 6 months in prison (or up to 12 months in total for more than one offence) a fine a community sentence, like doing unpaid work in the community a ban, for example from driving or keeping an animal Courts can also give a combination of punishments - for example a fine and unpaid work in the community. If the court decides your sentence should be for longer than 6 months, it can pass your case to the Crown Court for sentencing. Appealing your sentence or conviction You may be able to appeal the magistrates’ court verdict if you disagree with it.

A Crown Court: normally has a jury which decides if you’re guilty or not (the ‘verdict’) has a judge who decides what punishment (or ‘sentence’) you get Your solicitor (if you have one) can explain what happens in court - the judge and court staff will also give instructions about the trial. Find a Crown Court . You can see what cases a court is hearing each day and check their progress on the court lists . Cases a Crown Court deals with A Crown Court deals with serious criminal cases, for example: murder rape robbery It also deals with: appeals against a magistrates’ court conviction or sentence cases passed from a magistrates’ court for trial or sentencing Sentences a Crown Court can give A Crown Court can give a range of sentences including: community sentences prison sentences - including life sentences Appealing your sentence or conviction You may be able to appeal against the Crown Court verdict if you disagree with it. Asking for a sentence to be reviewed You can ask for a Crown Court sentence review for certain types of cases if the sentence seems too low. Anyone can ask for a sentence to be reviewed - you do not have to be involved in the case.

A youth court is a special type of magistrates’ court for people aged between 10 and 17. A youth court has either: 3 magistrates a district judge There is not a jury in a youth court. Your parent or guardian must come with you: if you’re under 16 if you’re 16 to 17 and they’re given a court order How youth courts are different from adult courts Youth courts are less formal than adult courts, for example: members of the public are not allowed in to the court (unless they get permission) you are called by your first name Cases a youth court deals with A youth court deals with cases like: theft and burglary anti-social behaviour drugs offences For serious crimes, like murder or rape, the case starts in the youth court but will be passed to a Crown Court. Sentences a youth court can give The court can give a range of sentences including: community sentences Detention and Training Orders carried out in secure centres for young people Appealing your sentence If you disagree with the court’s verdict, you may be able to appeal. Court staff can give you information on how to appeal.

Criminal courts

Magistrates' courts

All criminal cases start in a magistrates’ court.

Cases are heard by either:

2 or 3 magistrates
a district judge

There is not a jury in a magistrates’ court.

Find your local magistrates’ court.

Cases a magistrates’ court deals with

A magistrates’ court normally handles cases known as ‘summary offences’, for example:

most motoring offences
minor criminal damage
common assault (not causing significant injury)

It can also deal with some of the more serious offences, such as:

burglary
drugs offences

These are called ‘either way’ offences and can be heard either in a magistrates’ court or a Crown Court.

Cases that magistrates pass to the Crown Court

Magistrates’ courts always pass the most serious crimes to the Crown Court, for example:

murder
rape
robbery

These are known as ‘indictable offences’.

Being kept in custody or granted bail

In some cases the magistrates’ court will decide if you should be kept in custody until your next court hearing, or released on bail.

This may happen if:

another court hearing is needed
the court needs more information before passing sentence
your case is passed to the Crown Court for trial or sentencing

If you’re released on bail, you might have to follow strict conditions such as keeping away from certain people or places, staying indoors or wearing a tag.

If you do not attend court after being granted bail, you can be put in prison.

Sentences a magistrates’ court can give

The court can give punishments including:

up to 6 months in prison (or up to 12 months in total for more than one offence)
a fine
a community sentence, like doing unpaid work in the community
a ban, for example from driving or keeping an animal

Courts can also give a combination of punishments - for example a fine and unpaid work in the community.

If the court decides your sentence should be for longer than 6 months, it can pass your case to the Crown Court for sentencing.

Appealing your sentence or conviction

You may be able to appeal the magistrates’ court verdict if you disagree with it.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Criminal courts

Magistrates' courts

Cases a magistrates’ court deals with

Cases that magistrates pass to the Crown Court

Being kept in custody or granted bail

Sentences a magistrates’ court can give

Appealing your sentence or conviction

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Criminal courts

Magistrates' courts

Cases a magistrates’ court deals with

Cases that magistrates pass to the Crown Court

Being kept in custody or granted bail

Sentences a magistrates’ court can give

Appealing your sentence or conviction

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Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK