Criminal: Indictable Pre-Trial Procedure
Step One: Defendant is charged and summonsed to court. The first hearing will take place in Magistrates court where bail or custody and legal funding is decided. Magistrates will then commit the case to Crown court for further hearings. Step Two: First hearing in Crown court the defendant will enter a plea of either guilty or not guilty. Step Three: If the defendant pleads guilty a sentencing hearing will either take place or be scheduled to take place. The defendant will then be sentenced according to the sentencing guidelines for the offence. Step Four: If the defendant pleads not guilty a case management hearing will take place. This ensures that both parties are ready for the trial. The judge will set a timetable for the case and evidence, decide which witnesses to call. Step Five: The case will go to trial by jury in the Crown court.