On this page …

• Your magistrates' court trial guide

• Your journey through the magistrates’ court from start to finish

• What cases are dealt with in the magistrates’ court?

• Single Justice Procedure

• Summary and either-way offences

• What is the difference between magistrates’ court trial and Crown Court trial?

• Prosecution and Defence Cases

• Magistrates’ Court Judges - Lay Magistrates and District Judges

• The role of the Justices’ Legal Adviser

• What is the burden and standard of proof?

• The evidential burden

• Starting the trial and Preliminary Legal Arguments

• Youth Courts are Different

Your magistrates’ court trial guide

If you are facing trial in the magistrates’ court (also known as Summary Trial), what follows will guide you through what to expect from start to finish.

On this page you will find essential information about the magistrates’ court. On the following pages you will be taken through the prosecution case, the defence case and the verdict.

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

Your magistrates’ court trial journey from start to finish

LINKS BELOW TO MORE …

More about Trials, Appeals and Sentencing …

Youth Courts are Different

This Crown Court section is all about adult courts (i.e. 18s and over).

Very few youths will ever go to the Crown Court. In the vast majority of cases under 18s will have their first appearance and their trial at the Youth Court. 

The Youth Court trial process is very similar to the trial process at the magistrates’ court, although there are significant restrictions on who can go into court (the general public are not allowed to enter) and there are restrictions on reporting by the press in cases involving under 18s. The Youth Court is also less formal than the adult magistrates’ court and far less formal than the Crown Court.  

More information about the criminal courts for under 18s

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