About - The Courtroom

  1. The Court
  2. Court Schedule
  3. Problem Solving
  4. Reviewing Sentences
  5. Tackling Breach
  6. Sentencing Crown Court cases
  7. Magistrates' Trials

 

1. The Court

The Community Justice Centre court is presided over by Judge David Fletcher. The court sits as a Magistrates' Court, a Youth Court, a Breach Court and a Crown Court (for sentences only) and hears cases each weekday.

Alongside criminal cases it can deal with applications for anti-social behaviour orders, enforcement of confiscated orders, local authority prosecutions for non school attendance, and illegal tipping of waste.

All summary offences committed within the centre's catchment area, except for minor road traffic offences, are brought before the court. The only group of offences specifically excluded are sexual offences.

Every morning prior to the court session, a pre-court meeting takes place. This includes representatives from all of the key agencies, such as the Probation Service and the Crown Prosecution Service.

It aims to identify any potential issues that may be faced throughout the day and enables necessary action to be taken early on. This ensures that the day runs smoothly with agencies arranging support services as and when required.

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2. Court Schedule

The Community Justice Centre sits each weekday, with cases heard in two courtrooms.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

 

You can email us for further detail about the centre's court sessions.

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3. Problem Solving

One of the main differences between the Community Justice Centre, North Liverpool and a typical Magistrates' Court is the problem-solving approach adopted by the centre team, which aims to tackle the root causes of crime.

Before a defendant is sentenced in court, if the Judge thinks it is appropriate, he will ask the centre team to convene a problem-solving meeting, to asses the individual's situation. This is usually chaired by a probation or youth offending team officer and includes the defendant and their representative.

The meeting is aimed at identifying any issues which may be contributing to an offender's behaviour, such as drug or alcohol problems, housing or debt issues.

It provides the Judge with a fuller picture of the defendant's circumstances and potential options for sentencing, for instance a recommendation for drug treatment and testing as part of a community penalty.

It can aslo provide additional help to the offender, such as assistance in finding accomodation or resolving debt problems.

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4. Reviewing Sentences

Under Section 178 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, where an offender's sentence involves a community penalty, such as an unpaid work order, the Judge can monitor their progress by conducting regular review hearings.

This helps to ensure that they stay on track with their sentence. Those who successfully complete their programmes are congratulated in court and are presented with a certificate of achievement.

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5. Tackling Breach

Offenders breaching their sentences are issued with warrants for their arrest with no option of bail and appear before the Judge.  The Community Justice Centre has its own security force which is run by Merseyside Police, which means warrants are executed quickly.

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6. Sentencing Crown Court cases

In the event of a case being deemed not suitable for trial by magistrates, or if the defendant chooses to have trial by jury, the case will proceed to Crown Court for trial in the usual way. However, Judge Fletcher has the ability to sit as a judge of the Crown Court, so in the event of a conviction or if the offender changes their plea, the cases may be adjourned back to the Community Justice Centre court for sentencing.

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7. Magistrates' Trials

Judge Fletcher is supported by a panel of volunteer magistrates. They deal with summary trials, where the defendant involved has pleaded not guilty and where their case would typically have been sent to Liverpool Magistrates' Court for trial. 

These magistrates are drawn from a list of nearly 60 Merseyside magistrates who would usually sit at Liverpool Magistrates' Court. 

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