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What happens if you're charged with a crime. Find out about the hearing, when you can be released on bail and being put in custody (on remand).

• Overview

  If you’re charged with a crime you’ll be given a ‘charge sheet’. This sets…

• Bail

  When you’re waiting for a court hearing or a trial, you might be given…

• Remand

  If the court decides to put you on remand it means you’ll go to prison…

The different types of court - magistrates' court, Crown Court and youth court - the crimes they deal with and the level of sentences they can give.

• Magistrates' courts

  All criminal cases start in a magistrates’ court. Cases are heard by…

• Crown Court

  A Crown Court: normally has a jury which decides if you’re guilty or not…

• Youth courts

  A youth court is a special type of magistrates’ court for people aged…

The range of prison sentences a court can give - including suspended, fixed-term, indeterminate and life sentences.

• Concurrent and consecutive sentences

  If you’re sent to prison for 2 or more crimes, you’ll usually get a…

• Suspended prison sentences

  A suspended prison sentence is served in the community instead of in…

• Determinate prison sentences

  A determinate prison sentence is for a fixed length of time. It includes a…

• Indeterminate prison sentences

  An indeterminate prison sentence does not have a fixed length of time.…

• Life sentences

  If you’re found guilty of murder, a court must give you a life sentence. A…

• Sentences for children and young people under 18

  If you’re under 18 you’ll be treated differently to adults by a court. You…

The Domestic Homicide Sentencing Review undertaken by independent reviewer Clare Wade KC and the government response.

• Updated: 3 August 2023

Whole life orders for murders connected to the police, prison or probation officer's current or former duties

• Updated: 17 December 2025

If you've been the victim of a crime, you have the right to privacy, to make a personal statement and to contact the police and be kept informed about the investigation.

Information and advice if a family member or friend has been a victim of murder, manslaughter or died in suspicious circumstances in Greece.

• Updated: 8 May 2020

Get a declaration of presumed death if a person has been missing for at least 7 years or you think they've died - form N208, certificate of presumed death, appeal, complain

The police have to follow strict rules if you're arrested, questioned or charged with a crime - you can get legal advice at a police station

This guide gives advice about the death of a British person in Cameroon, including information on burial, cremation and repatriation.

• Updated: 19 April 2023