1. Criminal justice system By Laura Fox

2. 1: Someone breaks the law A statement is made, by the victim. Then the police will find out about the accused person. A arrest is then made, and the accused may ask for assistance by there solicitor.

4. 3: Remand REMAND in custody: Someone who has been charged must be locked up until they are called to court again. REMAND on bail: This means the accused is charged and are free to go until they appear in court again.

5. 4: Get ready for court The accused get’s there solicitor to write down what happened at the crime. Witnesses are also called to ask what has happened. The CPS (Crown prosecutions service) get all the police’s information together and then the decision is made whether there is enough evidence to prove that the accused committed the crime.

6. 5: The magistrates court Most defendants appear at this kind of court. There is no jury of ordinary people, here the judges and magistrates make the decision. The defendant has to say whether they are ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’. If the defendant says they are guilty then the magistrates make a decision on what the punishment will be. This is called ‘sentencing’. If the defendant says they are not guilty, the CPS tells the court why they think the are guilty.

7. 6: The crown court The more serious crimes are dealt with at this type of court e.g. Murder. A judge and jury make the decisions at this type of court. The jury is a group of 12 ordinary people, that is chosen by chance by everyone in the country. When the jury have heard the reasons for the defendant being guilty and the reasons for them being innocent they make their decision. At least ten of the people on the jury must agree for them to be able to give their 'verdict'.

8. 7: The sentence If it is found that the defendant is guilty, the judge decides the punishment. The defendant now becomes a convicted criminal. The judge has to think about the facts of the crime and the type of person the criminal is when deciding the suitable ‘sentence’. Only the more serious crimes may end in the criminal going to prison, many criminals have to pay fines or do good work for their community instead.