You will first be asked how you intend to plead, guilty or not guilty. However, at any time up to and during the hearing at the Crown Court, you could theoretically change your plea to not guilty.Įither way: Either way offences could either be heard in the Magistrates’ Court or in the Crown Court depending on the circumstances.
This means that the case will be listed for a guilty plea, and for sentence in the Crown Court. However, you can indicate a guilty plea in the Magistrates’ Court. For indictable only matters, you can only enter your guilty plea in the Crown Court. Indictable only: This means that the offence can only be tried in the Crown Court. When you first appear at the Magistrates’ Court, your case will be treated differently depending on if the offence that you have been charged with is: The procedure for entering your plea depends on the type of offence that you have been charged with. The two possible pleas in a criminal court in England and Wales are guilty or not guilty. What are the possible pleas in the Magistrates’ Court in England and Wales? Finally, we explain how instructing a solicitor could benefit you, even if you intend to put forward a guilty plea. We consider the extent to which pleading guilty could reduce your sentence. We look at your plea options and the different procedures that will be followed if you plead guilty versus if you plead not guilty.
This article explores what happens if you plead guilty to a criminal offence in England and Wales.
The implications of your decision on how to plead can be substantial and can affect the sentence that you are given, if you are convicted. If you have been charged on suspicion of a criminal offence, you will have to appear before the Magistrates’ Court where you will be asked to indicate if you intend to plead guilty or not guilty.