Crown Courts deal with serious criminal cases which include: 

• Cases sent for trial by Magistrates’ Courts because the offences are ‘indictable only’ (i.e. those which can only be heard by the Crown Court) 
• ‘Either way’ offences (which can be heard in a Magistrates’ Court, but can also be sent to the Crown Court if the defendant chooses a jury trial) 
• Defendants convicted in magistrates’ courts, but sent to the Crown Court for sentencing due to the seriousness of the offence 
• Appeals against decisions of Magistrates’ Courts. 

At the Crown Court the case will be heard before a judge and jury. The jury is made up of twelve people who know nothing about the trial before they come to court. It is their job to listen to all the evidence presented and to decide whether or not the accused is guilty. The judge will then decide the punishment for the offence.  A defendant charged with an ‘either way’ offence may chose to have their case heard in a Crown Court before a jury if they wish. 

Judges working at Crown Courts or as District Judges at the Magistrates Court are legally qualified either as barristers or solicitors and work full-time as judges. As a result a Judge can sit alone but there will usually be a legal adviser present to assist where necessary. A Judge will normally wear a gown and wig in a Crown Court.  

Page last reviewed: 15 February 2021

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