Crown Court Trial

Getting to grips with Crown Court trial

All Contents > Crown Court Trial > Jury > Prosecution Case > Defence Case > Judge's Summing-Up > Verdict

“If you are facing trial by jury in the Crown Court, what follows will guide you through what to expect from start to finish.”

On this page …

Your Crown Court trial guide
What cases are dealt with in the Crown Court?
Either-way and Indictable-only offences
Is there a difference between Crown Court trial and magistrates' court trial?
The role of the jury
Prosecution and Defence Cases
What is an Indictment?
Crown Court Judges - Circuit Judges, Recorders and High Court Judges
What is the burden and standard of proof?
The legal burden and standard of proof on the defence for particular defences
The evidential burden
Youth Courts

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Your Crown Court trial guide

If you are facing trial by jury in the Crown Court, what follows will guide you through what to expect from start to finish.

On this page you will find essential information about the Crown Court. On the following pages wou will also be taken through the role of the jury, the prosecution and defence cases, the judge’s summing-up and the verdict.

There are numerous links throughout these pages to additional information to help you.

What cases are dealt with in the Crown Court?

The Crown Court deals with the most serious criminal cases in England & Wales. These cases involve people charged with what are known as either-way offences and indictable-only offences (see below for more).

For every criminal case that requires a court appearance, the first appearance will be at the magistrates’ court, but for trial some cases remain in the magistrates’ court and some are sent to the Crown Court.

A trial will only take place where the defendant pleads not guilty. A defendant who pleads guilty will be sentenced. For more information about guilty pleas, including putting forward a basis of plea and seeking a sentence indication, go to Pleading Guilty >>