things that make an offence more serious and are likely to increase the sentence.

the stage at which magistrates will decide whether to try a case that can be heard either by them or in the Crown Court.

In criminal justice, a person convicted of an offence can apply to a higher court to have their conviction overturned or their sentence reduced.  Appeals against conviction or sentence in magistrates’ [..]

law created by judges’ decisions in individual cases in the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court

this is a punishment that may include programmes designed to help people to stop offending. An example might be unpaid work and help with addiction problems.

an amount of money ordered by the court to be paid by someone who has committed a criminal offence that has caused personal injury, loss or damage to the victim.

a process of getting input and feedback from legal professionals, experts, interested parties and members of the public on a proposed piece of work (usually a new sentencing guideline), normally runni [..]

where decisions are made about cases where someone doesn’t agree with the verdict or the sentence given in the Crown Court. 

charge fixed by law that an offender has to pay the court upon conviction. This is separate from any fine or the victim surcharge. This content will be updated in due course in line with the announcem [..]

deals with the more serious criminal offences including murder and rape and cases sent up from the magistrates’ courts. Trials in the Crown Court are in front of a judge and jury. It also hears appeal [..]