Edexcel A level Law Criminal Courts &
Lay People June 2024 Exam Questions
and Answers 100% Pass
Magistrates Court - Answer>>Trial Court. The criminal court of
first instance. All cases, irrelevant of severity, begin in this court.
All summary cases are tried in the Magistrates Court and less
serious triable-either way offences will also be if the Magistrates
accept jurisdiction for the case + the defendant elects not to go to
court. This court also heard preliminary hearings for more serious
cases.
A bench of three Magistrates or a District Judge will determine
verdict and if necessary sentence. The maximum sentence is 6
months per offence or a fine.
85-98% of all cases start and end in a Magistrates Court.
Crown Court - Answer>>Trial Court. All indictable and more
serious triable-either way cases are heard here. A jury of 12
determine the verdict and if found guilty, the Judge will determine
a sentence.
Despite being a trial court, this court will hear appeals from the
Magistrates Court against conviction or sentence.
High Court - Answer>>Lowest appeal court. Review decisions
made by lower courts rather than hearing full trials. There are 3
divisions.
The Queen's Bench Division hears appeals from the Magistrates
Court. They hear case stated appeals which are appeals on
points of law. These are available to both the defence and
prosecution.
, They can confirm/vary/reverse the application of law in the case:
any decision will be sent back to the Magistrates to implement.
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) - Answer>>Hears appeals
against conviction or sentence. Hears all appeals from the Crown
Court. They can dismiss the appeal, quash conviction. They may
decrease but not increase the sentence. They can order a re-trial.
Supreme Court - Answer>>The final court of appeal. the right to
appeal to be heard here is not automatic, a party may apply for
permission here but it will only be granted where the question of
law is one of general public importance.
Hear appeals from the Queen's Bench Divisional Court and the
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).
Summary Offences - Answer>>Least serious category of
offence.
Always tried in Magistrates Court by a bench of 3 Magistrates.
Maximum sentence a defendant may receive for a summary
offence is 6 month imprisonment or a £5000 fine.
Assault, battery, speeding.
Triable Either-Way Offences - Answer>>The middle-range of
offences, offences that can vary in terms of their severity. Can be
tried in either Magistrates or Crown Court, depending on severity
and defendant's plea.
If the defendant has pled not guilty, the Magistrates will determine
where the case will be heard in 'mode of trial' proceedings. If the
Magistrates accept the case, the decision regarding the trial
venue will be given to the defendant. If they plead guilty, they
have no right to determine the venue of their sentencing.
Lay People June 2024 Exam Questions
and Answers 100% Pass
Magistrates Court - Answer>>Trial Court. The criminal court of
first instance. All cases, irrelevant of severity, begin in this court.
All summary cases are tried in the Magistrates Court and less
serious triable-either way offences will also be if the Magistrates
accept jurisdiction for the case + the defendant elects not to go to
court. This court also heard preliminary hearings for more serious
cases.
A bench of three Magistrates or a District Judge will determine
verdict and if necessary sentence. The maximum sentence is 6
months per offence or a fine.
85-98% of all cases start and end in a Magistrates Court.
Crown Court - Answer>>Trial Court. All indictable and more
serious triable-either way cases are heard here. A jury of 12
determine the verdict and if found guilty, the Judge will determine
a sentence.
Despite being a trial court, this court will hear appeals from the
Magistrates Court against conviction or sentence.
High Court - Answer>>Lowest appeal court. Review decisions
made by lower courts rather than hearing full trials. There are 3
divisions.
The Queen's Bench Division hears appeals from the Magistrates
Court. They hear case stated appeals which are appeals on
points of law. These are available to both the defence and
prosecution.
, They can confirm/vary/reverse the application of law in the case:
any decision will be sent back to the Magistrates to implement.
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) - Answer>>Hears appeals
against conviction or sentence. Hears all appeals from the Crown
Court. They can dismiss the appeal, quash conviction. They may
decrease but not increase the sentence. They can order a re-trial.
Supreme Court - Answer>>The final court of appeal. the right to
appeal to be heard here is not automatic, a party may apply for
permission here but it will only be granted where the question of
law is one of general public importance.
Hear appeals from the Queen's Bench Divisional Court and the
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).
Summary Offences - Answer>>Least serious category of
offence.
Always tried in Magistrates Court by a bench of 3 Magistrates.
Maximum sentence a defendant may receive for a summary
offence is 6 month imprisonment or a £5000 fine.
Assault, battery, speeding.
Triable Either-Way Offences - Answer>>The middle-range of
offences, offences that can vary in terms of their severity. Can be
tried in either Magistrates or Crown Court, depending on severity
and defendant's plea.
If the defendant has pled not guilty, the Magistrates will determine
where the case will be heard in 'mode of trial' proceedings. If the
Magistrates accept the case, the decision regarding the trial
venue will be given to the defendant. If they plead guilty, they
have no right to determine the venue of their sentencing.
