Court Decisions and Sentences

The vast majority of the criminal cases heard in England and Wales will be at the magistrates' court. The court decisions that are made by the magistrate can include fines, compensation orders and conditional discharges.

The court decisions are based on our system of law that assumes innocence until guilt is proven. When an offender is found guilty, the judge will hand down whatever sentence the law has set. The judge cannot change the court decision themselves as the initial case must be concluded before any appeal can be heard.

Court decisions involving younger offenders are more complex. Here, a young offender under the age of 21 could be given a range of sentences by the judge. This can include a custodial sentence at a secure training centre.

Younger offenders under the age of 17, but no younger than 12, can be given a Detention and Training Order (DTO). Court decisions that result in a DTO will mean the offender serves part of their sentence in custody and part under supervision in the community. A DTO has a minimum term of four months and maximum term of two years.

In Scotland court decisions are handed down for criminal offences by the Sheriff's Court in cases involving offenders under the age of 21. In Northern Ireland court decisions are handed down to offenders by the magistrates' court that operates in a similar way to these courts in England and Wales.

If you feel that the court decision is wrong or unfair you can appeal the decision. For criminal cases the court of appeal is the Crown Court for cases originally heard at the magistrates' court. If you still feel your case has been wrongly judged you can appeal to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. And the highest court in the UK to hear some appeals is the Supreme Court for the United Kingdom.

If you would like to obtain legal advice about a court decision, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local specialist solicitor free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding local solicitors please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.