Highlight the difference between a magistrate court and a crown court?

Answer 1

Magistrates Court * Made up of 3 people from local community with no Professional legal qualifications. * Generally deals with summary offences where the defendant Is not entitles to a trial by jury. Eg Motoring Charges, Minor assaults etc * Magistrates also decide some civil matters, including family work and local government matters such as non-payment of council tax. * Hears most criminal cases initially (around 97%) * Magistrates are advised/assisted by Clerks to the Justices * Only have limited sentencing authority Crown Court * Made up of a Jury of 12 people * Judges of a Crown Court must be fully qualified barristers or solicitors with 7 years service * Crown Court will complete sentencing for the magistrates court when it is above their limits of authority * Hears the more serious criminal cases as well as appealed cases from the magistrates Court. * Not clear if crown court decisions are binding on magistrates courts. * Crown Court must deal with the Indictable only offences such as murder, manslaughter, rape and robbery

A magistrates court or court of petty sessions, formerly known as a police court, is the lowest level of court in England and Wales and many other common law jurisdictions.The Crown Court of England and Wales is, together with the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal, one of the constituent parts of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. It is the higher court of first instance in criminal cases; however, for some purposes the Crown Court is hierarchically subordinate to the High Court and its Divisional Courts. ilyas orhanli