A witness swears to tell the truth in the witness box

Oath

A formal indication of ‘Guilty’ or ‘Not Guilty

Plea

Defendants of 21 years or more go to prison when sentenced to custody. Younger offenders go to special young offender institutions

Prison

The Probation service supervises offenders after their release from custody. They also prepare reports (Pre-Sentence Reports) to help Magistrates sentence correctly and supervise Community Punishment and Rehabilitation orders. These are given to offenders who must ‘pay back’ the community or need help with problems such as drink, drugs etc

Probation

To send an offender to prison or put him on bail, when a case is adjourned

Remand

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Where the defendant pleads guilty but there are discrepancies between the facts alleged by the prosecution and those accepted by the defence, which would make a material difference to the sentence, the court would require a Newton Hearing to be held. .

Newton Hearing

Glossary of Common Legal Terms

West Hertfordshire Magistrates

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