Welcome to the Criminal Justice Hub

Helping you to better navigate and understand the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales.

What will happen to my children if I go to prison?

Child support, visitation and custody can be affected if you’re in prison. The other parent can become the custodial parent, even if only temporarily while the other person remains in jail or prison.

Types of prison sentences

A prison sentence is one of the punishments a judge or magistrate can issue if a person is found guilty of a crime. Prison sentences can also be called ‘custodial sentences’.

How do I appeal a magistrates’ court conviction?

How you appeal will depend on whether you went to your trial. It will also depend on whether you were sentenced at a magistrates’ court or a Crown Court.

I’ve been arrested. What are my rights?

If you’ve been arrested, you could be held in police custody which means you could be searched and questioned at a police station. The police custody officer will explain your rights.

I’ve been charged. What happens now?

f you have been charged this means that you have been officially accused of a crime. You will be given a ‘charge sheet’. The charge sheet will tell you about the crime you have been accused of.

What happens in a Magistrates court?

A magistrate is a volunteer from the local area who is trained to deal with less serious criminal cases. The cases are considered by 2 or 3 magistrates or a district judge. A district judge is a lawyer.

What is MAPPA and how does it affect me?

Section 325 to 327B of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (CJA) established multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) in each of the

What happens in a crown court?

What is a Crown Court? Crown Court deals with serious criminal cases, such as murder, rape, or robbery. It also

Police forces

Please see below links to all the Police Forces within England and Walesand to the National Special Police Forces: England Avon and Somerset Constabulary Bedfordshire Police Cambridgeshire Constabulary