What is the Crown Court?
The Crown Court handles serious criminal cases in England and Wales. It deals with offences such as murder, rape, robbery and large-scale drug trafficking. These are cases too serious to be heard in a magistrates' court.
The Crown Court system was established by the Courts Act 1971 and came into operation in 1972. Before this, a more fragmented system of assize courts and quarter sessions handled serious criminal matters.
The Central Criminal Court in London, commonly called the Old Bailey, has historical significance dating back centuries and frequently handles high-profile cases. However, there are Crown Court centres throughout England and Wales, and you can find your nearest one through the GOV.UK court finder service.
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The Crown Court tries defendants accused of serious criminal offences, conducts jury trials where a defendant pleads not guilty, hears appeals against decisions made in magistrates' courts, and sentences defendants who have been convicted in magistrates' courts but require a longer sentence than magistrates can give. It also hears appeals from magistrates' court decisions, though appeals against Crown Court convictions go to the Court of Appeal.
Cases arrive at the Crown Court through different routes. Some offences must be sent directly to the Crown Court. These are called indictable-only offences, meaning crimes so serious that only the Crown Court has jurisdiction to try them. Murder and rape fall into this category. Other offences are known as either-way offences, which can be tried in either court. For these cases, the defendant may choose to have a jury trial at the Crown Court, or magistrates may decide the case is too serious for them to handle and send it up.
In some circumstances, a youth court may also send a case involving a young person to the Crown Court if the offence is particularly serious.
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How Crown Court trials work
Most trials in the Crown Court take place before a judge and a jury of twelve members of the public. The judge manages the trial, makes decisions on points of law, and directs the jury on legal matters. The jury decides whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty based on the evidence presented. In exceptional circumstances, such as complex fraud cases or where there is a real danger of jury tampering, trials can proceed without a jury.
If a defendant pleads guilty, there will be no trial and the case moves to sentencing. The judge alone decides the sentence, taking into account sentencing guidelines and the specific circumstances of the case.
Crown Court proceedings are generally open to the public, though there are exceptions. Certain sensitive cases, or parts of cases involving vulnerable witnesses, may have restrictions on who can attend or what can be reported. Courts have also increasingly adopted video technology for certain hearings and remote participation by witnesses.
If you have been summoned to appear at Crown Court, whether as a defendant, witness or juror, you should receive written information explaining what is expected of you. The court staff can answer practical questions about attending.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland has its own separate court structure. The High Court of Justiciary handles the most serious criminal cases there, fulfilling a similar role to the Crown Court. It can impose longer sentences than the sheriff courts, including life imprisonment for the most serious offences.
Northern Ireland also has a Crown Court, which shares the same name but operates under separate legislation and administration from those in England and Wales.
If you need specific information about court procedures or your rights, the Citizens Advice service can provide free guidance. For official details about how the courts operate, sentencing guidelines and court locations, check GOV.UK or contact the court directly.
The reason I ask, is that I appealed a decision in a magistrates court, and asked to be tried by jury. Unforunately, I feel as though I was tried in a secret court, as there were 3 judges, and no jury, and as I had to represent myself, I was not treated fairly. There was no audio recordist, and the lady taking notes was not the brightest of people.
The end result was abismal. I won the case, but my record states that I was found guilty. Your advice would be kindly appreciated. Thanks.
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