Welcome to the defendant section of CJS Online
When someone is accused of a crime, they are called a defendant. In England and Wales anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the courts. If the courts find the defendant guilty and convict them, that person is called an offender.
If you, or someone you know, have been accused or charged with a crime then this site can help. The navigation menu on the left of this page provides an overview of the processes of being arrested, charged, and going to court.
There is also a virtual tour of the criminal justice system from the point of view of a defendant. The interactive Defendant’s Walkthrough takes you through what happens when someone is accused or charged with a crime. Use the link on the right to take the tour.