Chapter 9

An offender is sometimes made to serve his or her sentence by working in the community, rather than going to prison. Community sentences can be tailored to individual offenders, and to the crime that they have committed.

The Crown Court deals with serious criminal cases, such as murder. It also hears cases appealed from or referred by the magistrates’ courts. Trials at the Crown Court are heard by a judge and a jury.

The detainment of a person in a place of security, such as a prison or a police station.

An historical rule that a person acquitted for an offence could not be charge with that offence again. The law has now changed and in certain circumstances the Court of Appeal will permit a defendant to be re-tried.

Serious criminal offences, including murder and rape, that are tried before judge and jury in a Crown Court. Some criminal offences of intermediate seriousness, known as either way offences, can be tried either as summary offences (by magistrates) or on indictment (Crown Court).

The court document that formally lists the offences with which the accused in a criminal trial is charged.

Another term for a magistrate. They have no formal legal qualifications and are not paid for their services. JPs have limited sentencing powers.

A qualified lawyer who assists lay justices (magistrates) in respect of the law, practice and procedure.

Minor criminal offences that are tried before a magistrates’ court.

The highest court in the court system of England and Wales. It replaced the House of Lords in 2009.