What sort of matters does the Crown court deal with?
The Crown Court deals with more serious criminal cases such as murder, rape or robbery, some of which are on appeal or referred from Magistrates’ courts. Trials are heard by a Judge and a 12 person jury. Members of the public are selected for jury service or may have to go to court as witnesses. The Crown Court is based at 78 centres across England and Wales. It deals with cases transferred from the Magistrates’ Courts. It also hears appeals against decisions of Magistrate’s Courts, and deals with cases sent for sentence from Magistrates’ Courts.