Being Prosecuted: What Happens Next?

Charged, summoned or sent a postal requisition

The document should identify the allegation, hearing date and court. The immediate priorities are to confirm the deadline, understand the prosecution case, consider bail and preserve defence evidence. A missed hearing can make matters worse.

At the first hearing, the court may deal with plea, bail, legal representation and the route the case will take. Some cases remain in the Magistrates’ Court. Serious indictable cases are sent to the Crown Court, while either-way offences require decisions about venue.

Official overview: being charged with a crime.

How the defence is prepared

Effective preparation is not limited to reading the allegation. The defence may need to examine:

• witness statements, exhibits and unused material;
• CCTV, body-worn video and identification evidence;
• mobile-phone attribution, messages, call-data records and cell-site analysis;
• financial records in fraud or money-laundering allegations;
• the prosecution’s account of association or agreement in conspiracy cases.

Early instructions help identify missing material, inconsistencies and expert issues before important court deadlines.

Specialist pages: drug conspiracy, serious fraud, money laundering and telephone and cell-site evidence.

Criminal legal aid applications accepted

Criminal legal aid work is accepted. Police-station advice is free. For representation in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court, eligibility can depend on the type and seriousness of the case, financial circumstances and the applicable legal tests. An application can be completed and submitted with the defence team, and some Crown Court applicants may be asked to contribute.

See the official guidance on legal aid after arrest or charge.

What should I do after I am charged?

• Keep your charge sheet, bail notice, postal requisition or summons together.
• Check the court date, time and venue immediately.
• Do not breach bail conditions or contact witnesses in a way that could create further problems.
• Preserve messages, photographs, receipts, work records, travel records and other material that may support your account.
• Do not delete or alter potentially relevant digital material.
• Get legal advice before making important decisions about plea or giving further accounts of the allegation.

If you have been released on bail, see the post-charge bail guidance. If your case is likely to proceed to the Crown Court, see the Crown Court defence page.