Watching cases at Crown Court

[smurfchops]

I find it really interesting to sit in the public gallery and watch the cases. However is there a way of finding out, before deciding which Court to go into, what the cases are about, on the internet ?

I have found this website, but it doesn't say what the cases are. thanks in advance.

http://www.courtserve...rown/indexdailies.htm

Also can I get information about the same thing, at local Magistrates Courts ? Thanks again.

[Buenchico]

The court rooms aren't listed on the internet because the information would probably turn out to be redundant anyway.

When you arrive at the Court building, printed lists of the cases to be heard are displayed on the public noticeboard. They sometime show which Court each case will be in but it's not unusual for no specific Court to be assigned at the start of the day. Even if there is, the details might quickly change. For example you might see 'R v Mabel Smurfchops' listed in Court 4, before Mr Justice Wotsit. However, while sitting in the waiting area, you might well hear a loudspeaker announcement saying "Will all parties in Regina versus Smurfchops please go to Court 2. Please note the change of Court. All parties in Regina versus Smurfchops should now go to Court 2". When you get there, you find that Mr Justice Twizzle is now presiding over the case.

Chris

[sara3]

I walked into the Old Bailey once, and they had a huge case in Court 1.. but they wouldn't let us in without seeing a passport for ID! obviously, we weren't carrying passports :o/

[Eve]

Some of the court staff are quite helpful (as long as you don't take the pee and get annoying haha) as to what is on and which court to go into.

When I was studying law, we would go to the courts and they were always pretty helpful.

If reporters/journalists are about (cafe could be a good bet), it may also suggest there is something higher profile going on - they might have info about where to go for the best case on that day.

[237SJ]

I can`t do links but if you look at www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk you can see what is happening in various courts although it doesn`t go into detail.

[smurfchops]

I watched a case the other day, but it didn't finish and was going on to the next day, so I missed the ending! Is there a website that tells you what sentences people get?

[tamborine]

this gives a brief outline of hearings. To find out the results you need to quote the case into Google and the name of the Judge taking the case.

http://212.137.36.113/cms/cause.htm

[smurfchops]

What do I click on tamborine, to give the information?