Tuesday 27th April 2021

LC- To understand the rule of law.

The police

  A Police Officer serves to maintain law and order in local areas by protecting members of the public and their property, preventing crime, reducing the fear of crime and improving the quality of life for all citizens.

 Once the police have decided that a crime has been committed. The person then has to go through the court system.

 Have a look at the following powerpoint.

In Britain today if you are put on trial for a crime then you would go to one of two courts:

Magistrates court

Crown court

They deal with different crimes and look very different inside.

Virtually all criminal court cases start in a magistrates’ court, and around 95% will be completed there.

The more serious offences are passed on to the Crown Court, either for sentencing after the defendant has been found guilty in a magistrates’ court, or for full trial with a judge and jury.

 What do you notice about the differences in the pictures below?

  Once a person has pleaded guilty or found guilty then a punishment can be decided. This could be a fine, community service or prison as well as other things.

 The age of criminal responsibility.

Children over 10

Children between 10 and 17 can be arrested and taken to court if they commit a crime.

They are treated differently from adults and are:

• dealt with by youth courts
• given different sentences
• sent to special secure centres for young people, not adult prisons

Once you reach 18, you are treated as an adult.