Criminal Litigation and Sentencing (Bar Manuals)

A barrister needs to know how to conduct a criminal case. It is not just a matter of being conversant with law and procedure. He or she must be able to deal with an actual case in practice. Recognizing this basic necessity, this manual offers practical guidance on how to carry out actualtasks. The first part of the manual follows the stages that a typical criminal case would pass through, starting with the magistrates' court and moving on to the Crown Court, dealing with the various avenues for appeal. In each area, the main principles are clearly set out, with an explanation andreferences to statutes and cases where appropriate. Guidance is also given at various points where further research may be needed for a particular case. The second part deals with the sentencing, which is now an integral part of criminal litigation. This text looks not only at the maximum penalties which the court can impose, but also deals with the process of sentencing, including the procedure following conviction, the rrange of sentencesavailable and the factors likely to influence the sentence which is actually passed. In this way, it provides guidance for tasks which the barrister has to carry out, such as the advice on sentence and the plea in mitigation. This edition deals with the changes brought about by the Youth Justiceand Criminal Evidence Act 1999, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997.