#4847 - Plea Before Venue, Allocation Of Trial And Committal Proceedings - Criminal Litigation

Plea before venue, allocation of trial and committal proceedings 1) Plea before venue What offences does this apply to? Either way offences What is the procedure for plea before venue? 1) Advance information is supplied to the defence to give the defendant a summary of the case against him. 2) The charge is written down and read to the defendant 3) Court will explain to the defendant he can indicate guilty or not guilty 4) Court will explain if pleads guilty, they will convict him but may send him to the crown court if their sentencing powers are inadequate 5) Defendant will indicate whether pleads guilty or not guilty: Pleads guilty Magistrates convict Pleads not guilty or no plea entered Magistrates proceed to allocation of trial May commit to crown court to sentence - s.3 Powers of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000