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CRIMINAL
PROCEEDINGS IN
ENGLAND &
WALES

Inglés Profesional y Académico Criminal proceedings

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Criminal Justice systems in the UK

Distinct jurisdictions:
England and Wales;
Scotland; Northern
Ireland.

Separate legal
systems, laws, courts,
prosecution services,
central authorities.

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Useful terms
• Suspect (not yet subject of formal criminal
proceedings).

• Defendant (person who has been charged).

• Offender (person who has admitted guilt or has

been found guilty).

Criminal proceedings
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Useful terms
• To plead guilty/not guilty. Declararse
culpable/inocente.
• Verdict. Veredicto.
• To be found guilty/not guilty. Declarar a
alguien culpable/inocente.
• To be convicted/acquitted. Ser
condenado/absuelto.
• To be sentenced. Ser condenado.
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The basics
• CRIME/OFFENCE: “commission of an act forbidden by law
or omission of a duty commanded by law”

• CRIME/OFFENCE: • CIVIL WRONG/TORT:

Criminal proceedings Civil proceedings
(the CPS, at the request (the injured party brings
of police, prosecutes the an action to claim e.g. for
suspect or accused) damages)

The Crown Claimant

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Major features of criminal proceedings
UK – Common Law Continental Law
Accusatorial procedure Inquisitorial procedure
• Examining magistrate.
•Adversarial British law: judge  Important role:
takes no part in • Interviews witnesses.
investigation/litigation, only: • Examines evidence in
• applies the law; advance.
• decides the contest;
• sees that justice is done.

•2 sides:
Counsel for the defence
Counsel for the prosecution
•Jury (verdict).
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Major features of criminal proceedings
• Criminal law NOT organised into a “code”: extremely
diffuse arrangement of statutes and statutory
instruments constantly updated.

• All crimes referred to as “offences”, distinction seen in

sentences imposed.

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Investigation and prosecution of crimes
Prosecution of crime NOT the responsibility of courts
or the judiciary:
- No examining magistrate (juez instructor), no continental-style
inquisitorial procedure.

- It is the police who investigate criminal offences and bring

charges in the name of the Crown.

- Once a suspected person is charged with a criminal offence the

case is taken over by the CPS (which works with the police in
preparing the case), which conducts the prosecution.

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CRIMINAL
PROCEEDINGS

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Criminal proceedings: Offences

• Offences
1. Summary offences (lesser crimes, e.g. motoring
offences). “Petty offences” in American English.
2. Indictable offences (serious or very serious
crimes). “Felonies” in American English.
3. Offences triable either way (‘either way
offences’: intermediate offences). E.g. theft.

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CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
& COURTS

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A typical trial: Magistrates’ Court

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A typical courtroom: Crown Court

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Criminal proceedings: Final/Closing speech

• The jury must be satisfied “beyond a reasonable

doubt” (“so that you are really sure”):

• Yes (conviction) -> judge will pass sentence.

• No (acquittal).
• I’m not sure (acquittal) [in dubio pro reo]

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SENTENCE

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Conviction and sentence

• Sentence: decision by the judge (penalty

imposed).

• Prosecutor’s role: to draw court’s

attention to any aggravating or mitigating
factors, etc.

Criminal proceedings