Guidance

Going to a criminal court - support for defendants

This page has four documents to help you understand what you need to do if you are charged with a crime and told to go to a magistrates’ or Crown Court.

• From: HM Courts & Tribunals Service
• Published: 12 September 2019
• Last updated: 16 December 2019 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Before court: Going to a criminal court as a defendant

PDF, 817 KB, 9 pages

Going to court as a defendant: Understanding the legal terms used in court

PDF, 455 KB, 7 pages

At court: Being a defendant in a magistrates’ court

PDF, 520 KB, 5 pages

At court: Being a defendant in the Crown Court

PDF, 447 KB, 5 pages

Cyn dod i’r Llys: Mynd i Lys Troseddol fel Diffynnydd

PDF, 736 KB, 9 pages

Mynd i’r Llys fel Diffynnydd: Geirfa’r Llys

PDF, 307 KB, 7 pages

Yn y Llys: Bod yn Ddiffynnydd mewn Llys Ynadon

PDF, 376 KB, 5 pages

Yn y Llys: Bod yn Ddiffynnydd yn Llys y Goron

PDF, 365 KB, 5 pages

Details

There are four EasyRead guidance documents. They will help you understand the different stages of the criminal court system.

1. Before court: Going to a criminal court as a defendant
2. Going to court as a defendant: Understanding the legal terms used in court
3. At court: Being a defendant in a magistrates’ court
4. At court: Being a defendant in the Crown Court

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Published 12 September 2019
Last updated 16 December 2019 + show all updates

1. 16 December 2019

   English leaflets updated. Welsh to follow.

2. 12 September 2019

   First published.