Appeals from the Magistrates’ Court to the Crown Court
There is an automatic right to appeal a conviction and/or sentence from the Magistrates’ Court to the Crown Court. An appeal in the Crown Court is a rehearing of the case. An appellant must be aware that any sentence imposed may be made more onerous if the appeal is unsuccessful. Appeals from the Magistrates’ Court to the Crown Court are usually listed before the Crown Court within three months.
Appeals from the Crown Court to the Court of Appeal
An appeal from the Crown Court to the Court of Appeal will be considered by a Single Judge who will determine whether the application should proceed to a full hearing. These are dealt with by the Criminal Appeal Office within three to six months. Thereafter if the Single Judge determines that the application should proceed to a full hearing the timescale will vary on a case by case basis.