What can I expect in the Crown Court – Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What cases go to the Crown Court?

A. If you’re over 18 and facing prosecution for a crime, you’ll start off at the Magistrates Court. The Magistrates will then decide whether they can hear your case or whether they need to refer it to the Crown Court. Click here to find out more about the Magistrates Court.

Q. What kind of cases are referred to the Crown Court?

A. The most serious offences, such as such as robbery, manslaughter or rape will always be referred to the Crown Court. Other serious offences such as burglary, violence and drugs may be sent to the Crown Court or you can choose for them to be tried there.

A. How long will I have to wait for my case to come to Court?

Q. If you are pleading guilty, the case may be over within a few weeks but if it is going for a contested trial, it can take four to six months.

Q. What if I’m under 18?

A. If you’re under 18, your case will be heard first in the Youth Court and only the most serious cases will be sent to the Crown Court – click here to find out more about what to expect in the Youth Court

Q. Who will hear my case?

A. In the Crown Court there is trial by jury, so there will be a judge and a jury made up of 12 members of the public. The judge will make the decision about your sentence.

Q. Do staff in the Crown Court wear wigs and gowns?

A. The judge will be wearing a wig and gown, as will the barristers. Solicitor Advocates wear a gown, but for them, the wig is optional.

Q. Where is the Crown Court?

A. There is a Crown Court in Sheffield which hears cases from Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley, but Doncaster has its own Crown Court. There are also Crown Courts in Hull and Leicester, where Howells has criminal departments, as well as in other major cities.

Q. Can members of the public come to the Crown Court?

A. Yes, there is a public gallery and people can come in and listen.