Long Wait

[sir.prize]

Why is it necessary to bail someone for seven months before re-appearing at Crown Court?

Assuming the police have interviewed the 'victim/s' at length to eventually bring charges why the long delay - why not prosecute and proceed now? What more 'evidence' are they maybe hoping for?

To wait another seven months is daft - unless someone on AB knows an answer.

Nice to see the first Corrie actor proven innocent. Just another three to go.

[EDDIE51]

There is a long waiting list for a space for a crown court trial especially if the case is likely to be long one lasting a week of more. Delays and bail can be over a year sometimes.

[Gromit]

If only things were like TV and it was all done and dusted in a day.

[FredPuli43]

If the case is already before the Crown Court, the defendant has been charged. It is not a matter of waiting for evidence to make the case fit to prosecute; there must be that evidence or the case wouldn't be there in Crown Court.

Modern procedure is to get the case into the hands of the Crown Court judge as fast as possible. There is no hearing, other than a very brief one, in the magistrates'court. Once it is in Crown Court there will be a hearing to manage the case; estimates of time, need for witnesses to attend trial, finding a date etc. It may be months after that that the case is heard; it may be very long or complex or witnesses or counsel may not be available, the lists of cases may be full, there may be a number of reasons why it can't be listed soon after arrival in Crown Court

[sir.prize]

Thanks for that Fred. A great explanation.

But the defendant in question WAS in Crown Court yesterday- but but now wait until next year for trial. I still think it is daft.

[Booldawg]

was it a preliminary hearing?

[sir.prize]

Booldawg. It probably was. However, he has already appeared in Magistrates Court twice.

[FredPuli43]

If he pleaded guilty yesterday, he wouldn't have to wait :) Seriously, as he is going not guilty he has to wait, for the reasons given, to get his result. Delays are less than they were years ago; I can remember a fraud case where the defendant spent so long in custody on remand that the warders brought him a cake on the first anniversary; but they are still running into months sometimes.