Crime Checker explains magistrates vs Crown Court route in plain English for defendants who don't know the difference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — 20 June 2026

England and Wales — Crime Checker, the free AI criminal information tool at crimechecker.co.uk, has expanded its court-route guidance to give defendants a clearer explanation of why their case may be heard in a magistrates' court, a Crown Court or — in the case of either-way offences — both, with the defendant or magistrates deciding where the trial takes place.

The court route distinction is one of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of the criminal justice process in England and Wales, and has a significant bearing on the likely sentence range and the nature of the trial.

Three routes, three outcomes

Summary-only offences are heard exclusively in the magistrates' court. These include most motoring offences, minor public order matters and low-value criminal damage. The magistrates' court can impose a maximum sentence of six months for a single offence, or twelve months for multiple either-way offences sentenced together.

Indictable-only offences must be heard in the Crown Court before a judge and — if the defendant pleads not guilty — a jury. These include murder, rape, robbery and serious drug offences. The Crown Court has no upper limit on sentencing for these matters. A case that starts in the magistrates' court for an indictable-only offence is automatically sent up to the Crown Court at the first hearing.

Either-way offences — including theft, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and many drug possession offences — can be heard in either court. The magistrates first decide whether the case is suitable for summary trial. If they accept jurisdiction and the defendant agrees to the magistrates' court, the case stays there. If the magistrates decline jurisdiction, or if the defendant elects Crown Court trial, the case moves up. Electing Crown Court means access to a jury and a more formal process — but also higher potential sentences and longer proceedings.

Why it matters

The court route shapes everything that follows: the type of representation needed, the realistic sentencing range, the likely timeline and the financial cost of any representation. Many defendants do not know until they speak to a solicitor that they have a right to elect Crown Court trial for either-way offences, or that doing so carries both advantages and risks. Crime Checker now surfaces this information at the point when a user describes their matter — before any solicitor meeting — so the choice can be made with at least a basic understanding of what it means.

Crime Checker's court-route guidance is based on published Sentencing Council guidelines and the Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines. It is general information only and cannot account for the specific facts of any individual case.

About Crime Checker

Crime Checker is a free AI tool that explains likely criminal offences, court routes, possible outcomes, sentence risk and next steps for matters in England and Wales. It provides general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice. Crime Checker is a product of Zayn Productions Ltd, registered in England and Wales (company no. 16892199), 1 Alvin Street, Gloucester GL1 3EJ.

Press contact: hello@zaynit.com · crimechecker.co.uk