Inside Justice Week

The vast majority of all criminal cases commence in the Magistrates' Courts in England and Wales, and more than 95% of the criminal cases are completed there. The range of offences dealt with by Magistrates' Courts includes minor parking offences through to more serious ones including burglaries and assaults. The very serious cases are sent to the Crown Court for hearing before a Judge. Examples of these are more serious burglaries and assaults, rape, robbery and murder.

In Warwickshire, cases in the Magistrates' Courts are heard by Justices of the Peace. These are lay people from the area who are appointed by the Lord Chancellor.

Magistrates’ Courts also deal with civil cases including family disputes about where children live and to whom they have access as well as currently licensing all pubs and clubs in their area.

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