Crown Courts - Appeals From Magistrates' Courts

Appeals From Magistrates' Courts

See also: Challenges to decisions of England and Wales magistrates' courts

In 2003-04 the Crown Court heard 11,707 appeals against conviction, sentence or both, from those convicted in the magistrates' courts. At the conclusion of the hearing the Crown Court has the power to confirm, reverse or vary any part of the decision under appeal. If the appeal is decided against the accused, the Crown Court has the power to impose any sentence which the magistrates could have imposed, including one which is harsher than the one originally imposed. There was a waiting time of just over 8 weeks for appeals; 90% of appellants waited 14 weeks or less.