Going to court
95 % of all criminal cases are heard in a Magistrates' Court. The magistrates may be three local people, sometimes called justices of the peace, supported by a legally trained advisor, or there may be just one magistrate, called a district judge, who is a lawyer. No-one in a Magistrates' Court wears a white wig commonly associated with going to court, and only the ushers black gowns.
Trials before a judge and jury in the Crown Court are usually only for very serious crimes, or where the defendant (person accused of the crime) has asked to have his case tried by a jury. Magistrates may send a case to the Crown Court if they feel they do not have the power to set a sentence as severe as the crime deserves, if the defendant is found guilty.
After listening to all the evidence, the jury tells the judge whether they find the defendant 'guilty' or 'not guilty'. The judge decides on matters of law. If the defendant is found guilty or admits he or she is guilty, the judge also decides the sentence.
In both Crown and Magistrates' Courts, there will be a lawyer (or a team of lawyers) who speaks for the prosecution, and a different lawyer (or team) who speaks for the defendant. Under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime the Crown Prosecution Service has a legal obligation to ensure that someone from the CPS is introduced to you at court and answers your questions.
The leaflet 'Witness in Court' explains more about different types of court, attending court, and giving evidence.